What is the International Date Line?
The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line that generally follows the 180 degrees longitude meridian. It is the demarcation line where the date changes from one calendar day to the next.
The IDL is not a straight line but is adjusted to accommodate various political and territorial boundaries. It zigzags to avoid dividing countries or regions into two different calendar days. The specific deviations from the 180-degree meridian vary depending on the needs and agreements of different countries.
The date advances by one day when crossing the IDL from west to east (towards America). Conversely, when crossing from east to west (towards Asia), the date moves back by one day. This means that if it is Monday on one side of the IDL, it will be Tuesday on the other.
The purpose of the IDL is to maintain consistency and prevent confusion in international datekeeping. It allows for uniformity in global timekeeping and ensures that adjacent regions with close geographical proximity maintain the same calendar day.
The IDL is not a fixed or legal boundary but an internationally recognized convention. It primarily follows the 180-degree longitude, but specific deviations and adjustments accommodate political and geographical considerations. The precise location of the IDL may vary slightly based on agreements between countries and regions.