France officially uses the most time zones, with 12 standard time zones across its metropolitan and overseas territories.
France’s time-zone total comes from its global geography rather than from metropolitan France alone. French territories span the Atlantic, Caribbean, South America, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. French Guiana, Réunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and other territories each contribute to the country’s worldwide spread.
Russia has the largest continuous landmass across time zones and uses 11 standard time zones. The United States also spans many zones when its states and territories are counted, but its total is lower under the usual national comparison. Australia likewise covers several zones, including island territories.
Some lists give France 13 local times during part of the year because Saint-Pierre and Miquelon observes daylight saving time while most French territories do not. The commonly cited official total is 12 standard time zones, which is why France leads this geographic ranking.