Venezuela: Clocks to be set back 30 minutes on December 9, 2007

Published 20-Sep-2007. Changed 29-Nov-2007

Venezuela plans to adjust its time zone from four hours behind UTC, to 4:30 hours behind UTC, by adjusting their clocks backwards 30 minutes. The clocks will be turned back at 3:00 AM on December 9, 2007.

Why the time zone is changed

Venezuela's current time zone is UTC-4 hours, a standard time zone which is centered through the 60° West Meridian. However almost all of Venezuela is west of 60° West, and also east of the next standard time zone Meridian at 75° (UTC-5 hours), so none of these standard time zones fit exactly with Venezuela which is in the middle between two time zone Meridians.

Therefore a time zone between the standard time zones of 4 and 5 hours behind UTC was chosen. It is 4 hours and 30 minutes behind UTC, and centered around meridian 67°30' West. The capital, Caracas is at at 66°58' West, which is close to 67°30' West.

As a consequence, in the new local time, the sunrise will be 30 minutes earlier (more light in the morning), and sunsets 30 minutes earlier (darker evenings).

Venezuela also observed the UTC-4:30 time zone between 1912 and 1964. As 1965 started, the clocks were moved forward 30 minutes into the current time zone of UTC-4 hours.

Venezuela has never observed daylight saving time, like many other countries near equator.

Half-hour time zones

Half-hour time zones have 30 minutes offset from the standard time zones. The standard time zones have an integral number of hours difference to UTC (or GMT).

A number of countries and states/territories use half-hour time zones already, some of them are:

• Afghanistan
• Australia - South Australia
• India
• Iran
• Canada - Newfoundland

When will the clocks change

The final date was:

• 9 December 2007

Earlier, a number of dates have been announced, but later rejected of various reasons:

• 1 January 2008 - This was the first date announced in August 2007.
• 17 September 2008
• 24 September 2008
• 23 September 2008
• 7 October 2008
• 14 October 2008

Official announcement

Gaceta Oficial Número #38.819 contains the final announcement.

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