The spelling of "Atlantic Time" can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is pronounced /ətˈlæntɪk taɪm/. The first syllable, /ət/, is pronounced with a schwa sound. The second syllable, /ˈlæntɪk/, has stress on the second syllable and is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a nasal "n" sound. The final syllable, /taɪm/, is pronounced with a long "i" sound and a final dental or voiced "m" sound. Overall, the spelling of "Atlantic Time" accurately reflects its pronunciation in IPA.
Atlantic Time, often abbreviated as AST, refers to the time zone used in the Atlantic regions of North America. It is four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4). This time standard is not observed by all countries in the Atlantic region but is commonly utilized in regions such as Eastern Canada, the Caribbean, and parts of South America.
Atlantic Time is primarily based on the 60th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory, which runs through the Atlantic Ocean. This time zone operates during the standard time of the year, i.e., outside of daylight saving time periods.
Several regions adhere to Atlantic Standard Time as their standard time year-round. However, a few jurisdictions within this time zone region, notably parts of Eastern Canada, follow Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT) during the summer months, advancing one hour ahead of AST.
The implementation of Atlantic Time ensures a consistent time reference for the communities residing in these regions. It enables coordination of activities, including communication, commerce, and transportation, between neighboring regions that might operate on different time zones. By synchronizing clocks within the same standard time, Atlantic Time provides clarity and efficiency for various societal functions, facilitating seamless interactions and schedules across a broad range of industries and individuals.
The word "Atlantic" in "Atlantic Time" is derived from the Atlantic Ocean which borders the east coast of North America. The etymology of the word "Atlantic" can be traced back to the ancient Greek term "Atlantikos", which means "of Atlas". Atlas was a figure in Greek mythology who was said to hold up the heavens. The Atlantic Ocean was later named after the mythical figure, and the term "Atlantic Time" is used to indicate the standard time zone in parts of North America that fall within the Atlantic Ocean's maritime influence.