Samoa is the country that skipped a day.
Samoa's Time Zone Shift
Samoa made a significant shift in its time zone to align better with its major trading partners.
- This change involved skipping a day, specifically December 30, 2011.
- By doing so, Samoa moved from the eastern side of the International Date Line to the western side.
- This adjustment eliminated the 21-hour time difference with Australia and New Zealand, which are major economic partners.
Impact of the Time Change
The switch had notable effects:
- 24-hour time difference: There is now a 24-hour time difference between Samoa and American Samoa, even though they are only 70 kilometers apart. This is mentioned in the video from the reference.
- Economic benefits: Samoa's time change facilitated easier business dealings with Australia and New Zealand.
Reasons for the Change
The primary reason Samoa shifted its time zone was to enhance its economy.
- The previous time difference made communication and business transactions difficult.
- By aligning with its primary trading partners, Samoa improved its economic efficiency.
