How a Zone Map Works and How to Use One

A zone map is a map that divides a country or state into different regions depending on what the theme of the map is. The two zone maps that are the most important to be familiar with, are the time zone map and the climate zone map.

A Plant Hardiness Zone map is a map that is useful for many gardeners. Certain plants can only withstand and survive in certain areas. These areas are called a hardiness zone. This map divides the U.S. and Canada into 11 different of them, depending on a 10 degree Fahrenheit difference in the average yearly minimum temperature. Example: -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit is the minimum average temp. in Zone 2. Meanwhile, the lowest average temp. for this zone 10 is 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. From there, you can find out which plants are able to survive in those temps, and which plants suit those temps best. It's important to know when you're gardening so that way you know which plants can survive and are capable to grow in what area.

Climate is based on the weather variations in a region over several periods of time. Climate zones are identified by characteristics such as rainfall, and temperature. On a climate zone map, you'll see various colors. These colors separate each zone, according to their temperature. There's a key (on it or somewhere near it) that tells the average annual temperature for each region color.

There are different zones, such as the zone south from the equator, which is surrounded by the Tropic of Cancer. This zone is called the Torrid Zone. In the North and South pole, there is a day of each year when the sun either does not rise, or does not set. Which results in the two regions experiencing at least one day full of darkness, and one day full of daylight. These regions are called the frigid zones. They are surrounded by an imaginary line called the Arctic Circle (In the north). In the south, there is the Antarctic Circle. Between both the frigid zone and the torrid zone, there are two other regions called the temperate zones, which are neither very hot or very cold. In these zones, the sun sets and rises each day of the year, but it is never straight overhead.

A time zone is a division of the Earth that shares the same standard time. It's also known as local time. Most time zones are are exactly an hour apart. Standard time zones can be identified by geometrically dividing the Earth's sphere into 24 wedge-shaped sections. They are sectioned off by meridians; 15° of longitude apart. The local time in the zones nearby vary by one hour apart. There are nine different standard time zones in the United States. Atlantic (AST), Eastern (EST), Central (CST), Mountain (MST), Pacific (PST), Alaskan (AMST), Hawaii-Aleutian (HST), Samoa (UTC-11) and Chamorro (UTC+10). Before the use of time zones, local solar time was used. Which is known as the use of a sundial.

Example of how the time zone works:
When it's 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, it's 7:00 PM in New York. In New Orleans (Central Standard Time), it would be 6:00 AM; in Denver (Mountain Central Time), it would be 5:00 AM. In Los Angeles (Pacific Central Time), it would be 4:00 AM.

It's very important to know your climate and time zones. It'll come in handy for certain things, such as traveling, gardening, seasons, and many more.