How many time zones are there in the world?

The world is divided into 24 time zones, which are based on the Earth's rotation and the division of the planet into 15-degree longitudinal sections. Each of these zones generally represents one hour of time difference, corresponding to the 24 hours it takes for the Earth to complete a full rotation. This division helps standardize time across countries and regions, facilitating international travel, communication, and trade.

Each time zone can be further adjusted based on local factors, resulting in variations such as half-hour or quarter-hour offsets. However, the foundational structure is built on the concept of 24 distinct time zones, which corresponds accurately to the Earth's 360-degree rotation. This is why the answer is 24.