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UPSC Prelims 1993 · World Geography · Earth in Space
Which of the following places have their standard times that are the same as GMT? I. Accra II. Dublin III. Madrid IV. Lisbon
- (a) I, II and III
- (b) I, III and IV
- (c) I, II and IV
- (d) II, III and IV
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) I, II and IV
Accra, Dublin and Lisbon use GMT; Madrid uses CET.
The idea
A country’s standard time is chosen by civil rules, not read directly from its longitude. Nearby countries may choose different clock offsets. Standard time must also be distinguished from a seasonal daylight-saving clock change.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Includes Madrid.
(b) Includes Madrid.
(d) Includes Madrid, drops Accra.
The trap
Spain lies mostly west of Greenwich yet follows CET.
Also know
Accra is in Ghana, Dublin in Ireland, Madrid in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. Mainland Portugal moved to Central European Time in 1992 and returned to Western European Time in 1996, so its usual modern winter offset cannot simply be applied to 1993. Summer clock changes make the exact date relevant too. Ireland’s legal naming of summer “standard time” is a further terminology caution.
🔒 Spain: CET (GMT+1) since 1940 despite its longitude.
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