A Metric Planet
Behold each nation on Earth. Find ISO Country Code oval and Time Zone left of flag. See nation or territory name in local language above flag and capital city name (or its approximation) below flag. The eleventh General Conference on Weights and Measures reorganizes and extends Metric System measures in 1960 when this new System is renamed the International System of units or SI after its French initials. For the first time, the world had not merely universal units, but a universal system of units. Not every nation takes full advantage of the System though; some nations procrastinate. Dates below flag show when the System becomes legal or when adopted or when metric implementation becomes compulsory. Date right of flag shows the earlier of those dates. (United Nations Member date is also included.) Listing is generally in geographic order beginning at International Date Line.
Source 1: Adoption and compulsory implementation dates are mostly from Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1 Page 7: The General Conference on Weights and Measures Table 2-2 Adoption and compulsory implementation dates for the metric system (shown below).
Source 2: Some of the dates are from Hector Vera, The Social Life of Measures: Metrication in the United States and Mexico, 1789-2004, PhD dissertation, Sociology and Historical Studies, New School for Social Research, 2011, Pages 494-497.
Source 3: The Metric versus the English System of Weights and Measures Research Report Number 42 October 1921 National Industrial Conference Board, THE CENTURY CO. NEW YORK PUBLISHERS Appendix Table V Pages 218 through 227 and other references throughout the book.
Source 4: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Feb 1974 Page 10 Table 1 YEARS IN WHICH COUNTRIES LEGALLY ADOPTED THE METRIC SYSTEM.
Other Sources: Various; some sources noted below.
This is probably the most comprehensive metrication list readily accessible on line with 251 profiles. Every ISO Country Code is represented in this list with four exceptions (GBR HMD BVT UMI). It is pretty obvious how GBR (Great Britain) is a Non-FIFA Country Code. Great Britain is not a nation in the context of matches between nationalistic rivals. Men are instinctively warlike. Sport is a substitute for war. Scotland, England and Wales are distinct nationalities with distinct individual histories. Ireland has an unfortunate political border that should go away according to a majority of the people of Ireland.
One may find a more detailed description (with plenty of pictures) for France, Brasil [Portugal], Germany, Turkey, China, Japan, India and Australia under the Effort tab above.
MHL Time Zone +12 Marshall Islands Majuro
International System Legal: 1986
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
KIR Time Zone +12, +13, +14 Kiribati Tarawa
International System Adoption: 1984
United Nations Member: 14 Sep 1999
Metric System Adoption: 1925
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1969
Dependent Territory of New Zealand
TUV Time Zone +12 Tuvalu Funafuti
International System Adoption: 1978
United Nations Member: 5 Sep 2000
Metric System Legal: 1887
French Island Collectivity
WSM Time Zone +13 Samoa Apia
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 15 Dec 1976
frommers.com/destinations/samoa/684049
Weights & Measures — Samoa is officially on the metric system, but in their everyday lives, many residents still calculate distances by the British system used in American Samoa and in the United States. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour, and the speedometers of many local vehicles (most of which have the steering wheels on the left side, in the American and European fashion) show both miles per hour and kilometers per hour.
NRU Time Zone +12 Naoero (Nauru) Yaren District
International System Adoption: 1973-80
United Nations Member: 14 Sep 1999
SLB Time Zone +11 Solomon Islands Honiara
International System Adoption: 1970
United Nations Member: 19 Sep 1978
VUT Time Zone +11 Vanuatu Port Vila
International System Adoption: 1988
United Nations Member: 15 Sep 1981
FJI Time Zone +12 Fiji Suva
International System Adoption: 1972
United Nations Member: 13 Oct 1970
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1862
Special Collectivity of France
TON Time Zone +13 Tonga Nuku’alofa
International System Adoption: 1975
United Nations Member: 14 Sep 1999
International System Legal: 1976
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United States Commonwealth Territory GUM Time Zone +10 Guåhån (Guam) Hagåtña
Metric System Legal: 1898
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Unincorporated and Organized Territory of the United States
FSM Time Zone +10 and +11 Federated States of Micronesia Palikir
International System Legal: 1986
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
PNG Time Zone +10 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby
International System Adoption: 1970
United Nations Member: 10 Oct 1975
According Going Metric: an Analysis of Experiences in Five Nations and their Implications for U. S. Educational Planning – National Institute of Education Project No. 3-2173 by Albert B. Chalupsky and Jack J. Crawford and Edwin M. Carr 1974: An Ordinance of Papua-New Guinea, No. 78 of 1970, assented to on 19 October 1970, makes a similar provision to that of the Metric Conversion Act.
AUS Capital Time Zone +10 Australia Canberra
Metric System Legal: 1947; see MetricPioneer.com/Australia for more detail
International System Adoption: 1961 and 1970
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1988
United Nations Member: 1 Nov 1945
International System Adoption: 1970*
External Territory of Australia
* According to the METRIC CONVERSION ACT 1970 – SECT 4: This Act extends to every external Territory except Papua New Guinea.
NZL Time Zone +12 New Zealand Wellington
Metric System Legal: 1925 – New Zealand Authorizing use of metric system of weights and measures in 1925
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
CHN Time Zone +8 China Beijing
Metric System Legal: 1908; see MetricPioneer.com/China for more detail
Metric System Adoption: 1929
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1930
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
TWN Time Zone +8 Taiwan Taipei
Metric System Adoption: 1954
United Nations Member: Multiple Attempts to Join
PRK Time Zone +8.5 Chosŏn (North Korea) Pyongyang
Metric System Adoption: 1947
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
KOR Time Zone +9 Hanguk (South Korea) Seoul
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1949
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
JPN Time Zone +9 Nihon (Japan) Tokyo
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1893; see MetricPioneer.com/Japan for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1921-69
United Nations Member: 18 Dec 1956
PLW Time Zone +9 Belau (Palau) Melekeok
International System Legal: 1994
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 15 Dec 1994
PHL Time Zone +8 Pilipinas (Philippines) Maynilà (Manila)
Metric System Introduced by Mother Spain: 1849
Metric System Adoption: 1906
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1909
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1973-75
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
BRN Time Zone +8 Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan
International System Adoption: 1985
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1986-91
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1984
MYS Time Zone +8 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
International System Adoption: 1971-72
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1957
SGP Time Zone +8 Singapura (Singapore) (city-state)
International System Adoption: 1968-70
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1971
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1965
HKG Time Zone +8 Hong Kong
International System Adoption: 1976 (Incomplete)
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Special Administrative Region of China
MAC Time Zone +8 Macau
Metric System Adoption: 1957 (Incomplete)
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Special Administrative Region of China
MNG Time Zone +7, +8 Монгол Улс (Mongolia) Улаанбаатар (Ulaanbaatar)
Metric System Adoption: 1916
United Nations Member: 27 Oct 1961
Time Zone +8 Bod (Tibet) Lhasa
Metric System Legal: 1951
United Nations Member: Province of China
IDN Time Zone +7, +8, +9 Indonesia Jakarta
Metric System Adoption: 1923
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1938
United Nations Member: 28 Sep 1950
TLS Time Zone +9 Timor-Leste (East Timor) Dili
Metric System Adoption: 1957
United Nations Member: 27 Sep 2002
International System Adoption: 1970*
External Territory of Australia
* According to the METRIC CONVERSION ACT 1970 – SECT 4: This Act extends to every external Territory except Papua New Guinea. CCK Time Zone +6.5 Cocos (Keeling) Islands West Island
International System Adoption: 1970*
External Territory of Australia
* According to the METRIC CONVERSION ACT 1970 – SECT 4: This Act extends to every external Territory except Papua New Guinea.
VNM Time Zone +7 Việt Nam (Vietnam) Hà Nội (Hanoi)
Metric System Adoption: 1911
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1950
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1977
LAO Time Zone +7 Pathet Lao (Laos) Viang chan
International System Adoption: 1963
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
KHM Time Zone +7 Kampuchea (Cambodia) Phnom Penh
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1914
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1922
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
THA Time Zone +7 Prathet Thai (Thailand; formerly known as Siam) Krung Thep (Bangkok)
Compulsory for Public Works: 1889 *
Compulsory for Railways: 1892
Metric System Adoption: 1923
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1936
United Nations Member: 16 Dec 1946
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 33
MMR Time Zone +6.5 Myanmar – Myăma Nainngandaw (Burma) Yangon / Nay Pyi Taw (Administrative Capital)
Metric System Legal: 1920
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: Pending *
* Myanmar is preparing to adopt the International System (SI) as their official system of measurement, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
United Nations Member: 19 Apr 1948
BGD Time Zone +6 Bangladesh Dhaka
International System Legal Adoption: 1982
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1982
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1974
RUS Capital Time Zone +3 Росси́я (Russia) Москва (Moscow)
Metric System Legal: 1899
Metric System Adoption: 1918
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
BTN Time Zone +6 Bhutan Thimphu
Metric System Adoption: 1951
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1971
NPL Time Zone +5.75 Nepal Kathmandu
International System Legal Adoption: 1963
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1966-71
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
IND Time Zone +5.5 Bharat (India) New Delhi
Metric System Legal: 1920
Metric System Adoption: 1954
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1956; see MetricPioneer.com/India for more detail
United Nations Member: 30 Oct 1945
LKA Time Zone +5.5 Sinhalese: Śrī Laṃkā / Tamil: Ilaṅkai (Sri Lanka) Kotte
International System Adoption: 1970
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1974
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1976 *
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
* Chapter 189 – National Metric Conversion Law Number 17 of 1976
MDV Time Zone +5 Dhivehi Raajje (Maldives) Malé (Male)
Metric System Adoption: 1959
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1965
IOT Time Zone +6 British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia
Metric System Creation / Adoption: 1795*
International System Legal: 1965
British Overseas Territory
* Diego Garcia was settled by the French in the 1790s and was transferred to British rule after the Napoleonic Wars.
SYC Time Zone +4 Sesel (Seychelles) Victoria
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1880
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1976
COM Time Zone +3 Juzur al-Qamar (Comoros) Mūrūnī (Moroni)
Metric System Adoption: 1914
United Nations Member: 12 Nov 1975
MYT Time Zone +3 Mayotte Mamoudzou
Metric System Legal: 1841
Overseas Region and Department of France
MUS Time Zone +4 Moris (Mauritius) Porlwi (Port Louis)
Metric System Adoption: 1876
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1878
United Nations Member: 24 Apr 1968
REU Time Zone +4 Réunion (Reunion) Saint-Denis
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1839
Overseas Region and Department of France
Region Reunion VALORISONS NOS ATOUTS
ATF Time Zone +5 Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) Saint-Pierre
Metric System Legal: 1955 *
Overseas Territory of France
* The French Southern and Antarctic Lands have formed a territoire d’outre-mer (an overseas territory) of France since 1955.
MDG Time Zone +3 Madagasikara (Madagascar; formerly known as Malagasy) Antananarivo
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1897 *
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
* The monarchy collapsed in 1897 when the island was absorbed into the French Colonial Empire, from which the island gained independence in 1960.
MOZ Time Zone +2 Moçambique (Mozambique) Maputo
Metric System Adoption: 1905
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1910
United Nations Member: 16 Sep 1975
ETH Time Zone +3 Ityopya (Ethiopia; formerly known as Abyssinia) Addis Ababa / Addis Abeba
International System Adoption: 1963
United Nations Member: 13 Nov 1945 *
* Ethiopia is the only African nation to defeat European colonial ambition and retain sovereignty. Many African nations adopt these flag colors. Ethiopia is the first independent African member of the League of Nations and the United Nations.
KEN Time Zone +3 Kenya Nairobi
Metric System Legal: 1951
International System Adoption: 1967-68
United Nations Member: 16 Dec 1963
UGA Time Zone +3 Uganda Kampala
Metric System Legal: 1950
International System Adoption: 1967
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1967-69
United Nations Member: 25 Oct 1962
RWA Time Zone +2 Rwanda Kigali
Metric System Adoption: 1910
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1962
BDI Time Zone +2 Burundi Bujumbura
Metric System Adoption: 1910
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1962
TZA Time Zone +3 Tanzania Dodoma
International System Adoption: 1967-69
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1961
SSD Time Zone +3 South Sudan Juba
Metric System Legal Adoption: 1955
United Nations Member: 14 Jul 2011
ZMB Time Zone +2 Zambia Lusaka
Metric System Adoption: 1937
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1970
United Nations Member: 1 Dec 1964
MWI Time Zone +2 Malawi Lilongwe
International System Adoption: 1979
United Nations Member: 1 Dec 1964
ZWE Time Zone +2 Zimbabwe Harare
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 25 Aug 1980
SWZ Time Zone +2 eSwatini (Swaziland) Mbabane
International System Adoption: 1969
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1973
United Nations Member: 24 Sep 1968
LSO Time Zone +2 Lesotho Maseru
International System Adoption: 1970
United Nations Member: 17 Oct 1966
TCD Time Zone +1 Tchad (French) Tshad (Arabic) (Chad) N’Djamena (French) Nijāmīnā (Arabic)
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
CAF Time Zone +1 Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka (Sango) République centrafricaine (French) (Central African Republic) Bangî (Bangui)
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
COG Time Zone +1 Kôngo (Congo) Balazavile (Brazzaville)
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907 French Congo (1882-1910)
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1910 French Equatorial Africa (1910-1958)
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
COD Time Zone +1, +2 Kôngo Demokratiki (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (Named Zaire 1971-1997) Kinsasa (Kinshasa)
Metric System Adoption: 1910 Belgian Congo (1908-1960)
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1910
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
BWA Time Zone +2 Botswana Gaborone
International System Adoption: 1969-70
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1973
United Nations Member: 17 Oct 1966
ZAF Time Zone +2 Suid-Afrika (South Africa) Pretoria (executive) Bloemfontein (judicial) Cape Town (legislative)
Metric System Adoption: 1922 * mainly among chemists
International System Adoption: 1967
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1974
United Nations Member: 7 Nov 1945
See Successful changeover in South Africa for more detail at www.metric.org.uk/node/17
NER Time Zone +1 Niger Niamey
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
NGA Time Zone +1 Nigeria Abuja
International System Adoption: 1971-73
United Nations Member: 7 Oct 1960
Member of ECOWAS
CMR Time Zone +1 Cameroun (Cameroon) Yaoundé
Metric System Adoption: 1894
International System Adoption: 1961
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
GNQ Time Zone +1 Guinea Ecuatorial (Equatorial Guinea) Malabo
Metric System Adoption: 1900 * Treaty of Paris
United Nations Member: 12 Nov 1968
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
* The Treaty of Paris signed 27 Jun 1900 between the Kingdom of Spain and the French Republic relieves Río Muni of all conflicting claims. Spain is left with 26,000 km2 out of the 300,000 stretching east to the Ubangi River, which they had initially claimed.
AGO Time Zone +1 Angola Luanda
Metric System Adoption: 1905
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1910
United Nations Member: 1 Dec 1976
NAM Time Zone +1 Namibia Windhoek
International System Adoption: 1967
United Nations Member: 23 Apr 1990
BFA Time Zone 0 Burkina Faso (Formerly known as Upper Volta) Ouagadougou
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
GHA Time Zone 0 Ghana Accra
International System Adoption: 1972
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1975
United Nations Member: 8 Mar 1957
Member of ECOWAS
TGO Time Zone 0 Togo Lomé
Metric System Adoption: 1924 *
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
* Togo français (French Togoland)
BEN Time Zone +1 Benin (Formerly known as Dahomey) Porto-Novo – also known as Hogbonu and Ajashe
Metric System Adoption: 1884-91
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
STP Time Zone 0 São Tomé e Príncipe (Sao Tome and Principe) São Tomé
Metric System Adoption: 1891
United Nations Member: 16 Sep 1975
GAB Time Zone +1 Gabon Libreville
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of CEMAC; Currency: Central African CFA Franc (Fr) XAF
MLI Time Zone 0 Mali Bamako
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 28 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
CIV Time Zone 0 Côte d’Ivoire Yamoussoukro
Metric System Adoption: 1884-90
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
SLE Time Zone 0 Sierra Leone Freetown
International System Adoption: 1976
United Nations Member: 27 Sep 1961
Member of ECOWAS
LBR Time Zone 0 Liberia Monrovia
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 2 Nov 1945
Member of ECOWAS
CPV Time Zone -1 Cabo Verde Praia
Metric System Adoption: 1891
United Nations Member: 16 Sep 1975
Member of ECOWAS
SEN Time Zone 0 Sénégal (Senegal) Dakar
Metric System Adoption: 1840
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 28 Sep 1960
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
GMB Time Zone 0 Gambia Banjul
International System Adoption: 1979
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1965
Member of ECOWAS
GNB Time Zone 0 Guiné-Bissau (Guinea-Bissau) Bissau
Metric System Adoption: 1905
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1910
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1974
Member of ECOWAS; Currency: West African CFA Franc (Fr) XOF
GIN Time Zone 0 Guinée (Guinea) Kɔnakiri (Conakry)
Metric System Adoption: 1901-06
United Nations Member: 12 Dec 1958
Member of ECOWAS
KAZ Time Zone +5, +6 Kazakhstan Astana
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
KGZ Time Zone +6 Kyrgyzstan Bishkek
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
TJK Time Zone +5 Tajikistan Dushanbe
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
UZB Time Zone +5 Uzbekistan Tashkent
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
TKM Time Zone +5 Turkmenistan Ashgabat
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
AFG Time Zone +4.5 Afghanistan Kabul
Metric System Adoption: 1926
United Nations Member: 19 Nov 1946
PAK Time Zone +5 Pakistan Islamabad
International System Adoption: 1967-72
United Nations Member: 30 Sep 1947
IRN Time Zone +3.5 Iran Tehran
Metric System Adoption: 1933
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1935-49
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Arabic Alphabet – Read both Arabic and Hebrew from right to left. Isolated Initial Medial Final
XXX Time Zone +2, +3, +3.5 Kurdistan Diyarbakır Kirkuk Kermanshah
Metric System Adoption: 1869 and 1931, 1931, 1933
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1933, 1935-49
International System Adoption: 1960
Kurdistan is not a member of the United Nations
IRQ Time Zone +3 Iraq (formerly known as Mesopotamia) Baghdad
Metric System Adoption: 1931
International System Adoption: 1960
United Nations Member: 21 Dec 1945
Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 32
KWT Time Zone +3 Kuwait Madinat Al Kuwayt (Kuwait City)
International System Adoption: 1961
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1964
United Nations Member: 14 May 1963
GEO Time Zone +4 Sakartvelo (Georgia) Tbilisi
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 31 Jul 1992
AZE Time Zone +4 Azərbaycan (Azerbaijan) Bakı (Baku)
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
ARM Time Zone +4 Hayastan (Armenia) Yerevan
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
Exonym from Old Persian Behistun Inscription (515 BCE)
SAU Time Zone +3 Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah (Saudi Arabia) Riyadh
International System Adoption: 1962
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1964
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
BHR Time Zone +3 Al Baḥrayn (Bahrain) Al Manamah (Manama)
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1971
QAT Time Zone +3 Qaṭr (Qatar) ad-Dawḥa (Doha)
International System Adoption: 1972
United Nations Member: 21 Sep 1971
ARE Time Zone +4 Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah (United Arab Emirates) Abu Dhabi
International System Adoption: 1961
United Nations Member: 9 Dec 1971
OMN Time Zone +4 Uman (Oman) Masqat (Muscat)
International System Adoption: 1974
United Nations Member: 7 Oct 1971
YEM Time Zone +3 al Yaman (Yemen) Sana’a (Sana)
International System Adoption: 1981
United Nations Member: 30 Sep 1947
ERI Time Zone +3 Ertra (Eritrea) Asmara
International System Adoption: 1963
United Nations Member: 28 May 1993
DJI Time Zone +3 Djibouti Djibouti
Metric System Adoption: 1898
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1977
SOM Time Zone +3 Soomaaliya (Somalia) Muqdisho (Mogadishu)
Metric System Adoption: 1950
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1972
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
SDN Time Zone +3 Sudan Khartoum
Metric System Adoption: 1955
United Nations Member: 12 Nov 1956
SYR Time Zone +2 Suriyah (Syria / Syrian Arab Republic) Dimashq (Damascus)
Metric System Adoption: 1935
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
LBN Time Zone +2 Lubnan (Lebanon) Beirut
Metric System Adoption: 1935
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
JOR Time Zone +2 Al Urdun (Jordan) Amman
Metric System Adoption: 1953
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1954
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
EGY Time Zone +2 KMT (Ancient) Misr (Egypt) Al Qahirah (Cairo)
Metric System Legal: 1873
Compulsory for Government Work: 1892
Metric System Adoption: 1939
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1951-61
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
PSE Time Zone +2 Qita Ghazzah (Gaza Strip) [State of Palestine] Gaza City
Metric System Legal: 1873 *
United Nations Status: Non-Member Permanent Observer
* Gaza is culturally dominated by neighboring Egypt from the early 19th century; Muhammad Ali of Egypt conquers Gaza and most of Palestine in 1832.
TUR Time Zone +2 Türkiye (Turkey) Ankara
Metric System Adoption: 1869 and 1931; see MetricPioneer.com/Turkey for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1933
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
GRC Time Zone +2 Ελλάδα Ellada (Greece) Αθήνα (Athens)
Metric System Adoption: 1836
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1959
United Nations Member: 25 Oct 1945
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
ISR Time Zone +2 Yisra’el (Israel) Yerushalayim (Jerusalem)
Metric System Adoption: 1947
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1954
United Nations Member: 11 May 1949
PSE Time Zone +2 Ad Diffah I Garbiyyah (West Bank) [State of Palestine] Ramallah
Metric System Adoption: 1953 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1954
United Nations Member when part of Jordan: 14 Dec 1955
United Nations Status: Non-Member Permanent Observer
* Jordan annexes West Bank in 1950.
CYP Time Zone +2 Κύπρος (Greek) Kıbrıs (Turkish) (Cyprus) Λευκωσία (Greek) Lefkoşa (Turkish) (Nicosia)
International System Adoption: 1972-74
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1960
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
BGR Time Zone +2 България (Bulgaria) София (Sofia)
Metric System Adoption: 1888
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1892
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union
ROU Time Zone +2 România (Romania) București (Bucharest)
Metric System Adoption: 1864
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1884
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union
MDA Time Zone +2 Moldova Chişinău (Chisinau)
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
ALB Time Zone +1 Shqipëri (Albania) Tiranë (Tirana)
Metric System Adoption: 1951
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
MKD Time Zone +1 Македонија (Macedonia) Скопје (Skopje)
Metric System Adoption: 1873
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1883
United Nations Member: 8 Apr 1993 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
UNMIK Time Zone +1 Kosova (Albanian) Косово (Serbian) (Kosovo) Prishtinë (Albanian) Приштина (Serbian) (Pristina)
Metric System Adoption: 1873
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1883
United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
MNE Time Zone +1 Crna Gora / Црна Гора (Montenegro) Podgorica / Подгорица
Metric System Adoption: 1871
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1888
United Nations Member: 28 Jun 2006 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
SRB Time Zone +1 Србија (Serbia) Београд (Beograd)
Metric System Adoption: 1873
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1883
United Nations Member: 1 Nov 2000 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
BIH Time Zone +1 Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Sarajevo / Сарајево
Metric System Adoption: 1878
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 22 May 1992 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
HRV Time Zone +1 Hrvatska (Croatia) Zagreb
Metric System Adoption: 1871
United Nations Member: 22 May 1992 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
Member of European Union
SVN Time Zone +1 Slovenija (Slovenia) Ljubljana
Metric System Adoption: 1871
United Nations Member: 22 May 1992 (Formerly Part of Yugoslavia)
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
LBY Time Zone +2 Libya Tarabulus (Tripoli)
Metric System Introduction: 1913 *
Metric System Adoption: 1927
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
* Italians introduce the metric system into Tripoli in 1913.
TUN Time Zone +1 Tunis (Tunisia) Tunis
Metric System Adoption: 1895
United Nations Member: 12 Nov 1956
DZA Time Zone +1 Al Jaza’ir (Algeria) (Algiers)
Metric System Adoption: 1843
United Nations Member: 8 Oct 1962
MAR Time Zone 0 Al Maghrib (Arabic) Lmaɣrib (Berber) (Morocco) Ar Rabat (Moroccan Arabic) Rrbat (Berber) (Rabat)
Metric System Adoption: 1923
United Nations Member: 12 Nov 1956
ESH Time Zone 0 As Sahra Al Gharbiyah (Western Sahara) Al Uyun (Laayoune)
Metric System Adoption: 1922
MRT Time Zone 0 Muritanya (Mauritania) Nuw ’Akshut (Nouakchott)
Metric System Adoption: 1884-1907
United Nations Member: 27 Oct 1961
International System Adoption: 1970
British Overseas Territory
ESP Time Zone +1 España (Spain) Madrid
Metric System Adoption: 1849
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1871
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1917
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
PRT Time Zone -1 and 0 Portugal Lisboa
Metric System Adoption: 1814* and 1852; see MetricPioneer.com/Brasil for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1872
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
AND Time Zone +1 Andorra Andorra la Vella
Metric System Adoption: 1934
United Nations Member: 28 Jul 1993
FRA Time Zone +1 France Paris
Metric System Creation / Adoption: 1795; see MetricPioneer.com/France for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1840
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
MCO Time Zone +1 Monaco (city-state)
Metric System Adoption: 1854
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 28 May 1993
MLT Time Zone +1 Malta Valletta
Metric System Adoption: 1910
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1921
United Nations Member: 1 Dec 1964
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
SMR Time Zone +1 San Marino Città di San Marino (City of San Marino)
Metric System Adoption: 1907
United Nations Member: 2 Mar 1992
VAT Time Zone +1 Status Civitatis Vaticanæ (Latin) (Vatican City State) Città del Vaticano (Italian) (Vatican City)
United Nations Status: Non-Member Permanent Observer
ITA Time Zone +1 Italia (Italy) Roma (Rome)
Metric System Adoption: 1861
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1863
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
CHE Time Zone +1 Confœderatio Helvetica (Latin) (Switzerland) Bern
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1875 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1877
United Nations Member: 10 Sep 2002
* Metric versus English Page 26
LIE Time Zone +1 Liechtenstein Vaduz
Metric System Adoption: 1875
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1990
AUT Time Zone +1 Österreich (Austria) Wien (Vienna)
Metric System Adoption: 1871
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
DEU Time Zone +1 Germany Deutschland Berlin
Metric System Adoption: 1871; see MetricPioneer.com/Germany for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1872
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1973
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
BEL Time Zone +1 Belgique (French) België (Dutch) Belgien (German) (Belgium) Bruxelles (French) Brussel (Dutch) (Brussels)
Metric System Adoption: 1816
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1820
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1855
United Nations Member: 27 Dec 1945
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
NLD Time Zone +1 Nederland (Netherlands) Amsterdam
Metric System Adoption: 1816
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1820
United Nations Member: 10 Dec 1945
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
LUX Time Zone +1 Luxembourg Lëtzebuerg
Metric System Adoption: 1816
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1820
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
POL Time Zone +1 Polska (Poland) Warszawa (Warsaw)
Metric System Adoption: 1919
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Member of European Union
HUN Time Zone +1 Magyarország (Hungary) Budapest
Metric System Adoption: 1874
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union
CZE Time Zone +1 Česko (Czechia) (Czech Republic) Praha (Prague)
Metric System Adoption: 1871
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 19 Jan 1993
Member of European Union
SVK Time Zone +1 Slovensko (Slovakia) Bratislava
Metric System Adoption: 1871
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1876
United Nations Member: 19 Jan 1993
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
UKR Time Zone +2 Україна (Ukraine) Київ (Kiev)
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
BLR Time Zone +3 Белару́сь (Belarus) Мінск (Minsk)
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1927
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
LTU Time Zone +2 Lietuva (Lithuania) Vilnius
Metric System Adoption: 1920
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
LVA Time Zone +2 Latvija (Latvia) Rīga (Riga)
Metric System Adoption: 1919 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1926 *
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
* Metric versus English Page 24
EST Time Zone +2 Eesti (Estonia) Tallinn
Metric System Adoption: 1922
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1929
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1991
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
FIN Time Zone +2 Suomi (Finland) Helsinki
Metric System Adoption: 1886 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1892 *
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
* Metric versus English Page 22
ALA Time Zone +2 Åland (Aland Islands) Mariehamn
Metric System Adoption: 1886 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1892 *
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955 (Finland)
* The Grand Duchy of Finland (1809-1917) includes the Åland Islands.
SWE Time Zone +1 Sverige (Sweden) Stockholm
Metric System Adoption: 1878
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1889
United Nations Member: 19 Nov 1946
Member of European Union
Metric System Adoption: 1875
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1882
United Nations Member: Territories of Norway
NOR Time Zone +1 Norge (Norway) Oslo
Metric System Adoption: 1875
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1882
United Nations Member: 27 Nov 1945
Metric System Adoption: 1907
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
UN: Autonomous Country within Denmark
DNK Time Zone +1 Danmark (Denmark) København (Copenhagen)
Metric System Adoption: 1907
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Member of European Union
SCO Time Zone 0 Alba (Scotland) Dùn Èideann (Edinburgh)
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
United Nations Member: Independence Referendum Likely
ENG Time Zone 0 England London
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
See A UK metric time line for more detail – www.metric.org.uk/node/19
WAL Time Zone 0 Cymru (Wales) Caerdydd (Cardiff)
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
United Nations Member: (as part of United Kingdom)
IRL Time Zone 0 Éire (Ireland) Dublin
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1968-69
Northern Ireland: Incomplete
United Nations Member: 14 Dec 1955
Member of European Union and Eurozone; Currency: Euro (€) EUR
frommers.com/destinations/northern-ireland/696508
Visiting Northern Ireland: A Checklist
There is no marked land border. You don’t need a separate visa or your passport when visiting from the Republic.
Road signs are in miles, not kilometers. Signs around the border usually show both, but the switchover can be confusing.
IMN Time Zone 0 Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) Douglas
International System Legal: 1989 *
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Self-Governing Crown Dependency
* Isle of Man Ellan Vannin WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT 1989
GGY Time Zone 0 Guernsey Saint Peter Port
Metric System Legal: 1915 *
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Crown Dependency
* Weights and Measures for Trade in Guernsey and Alderney 13th – 20th Century Page 13
JEY Time Zone 0 Jersey Saint Helier
International System Legal: 1968 *
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Crown Dependency
* WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (GENERAL PROVISIONS) (JERSEY) ORDER 1968
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
ISL Time Zone 0 Ísland (Iceland) Reykjavík
Metric System Adoption: 1907
United Nations Member: 19 Nov 1946
Metric System Legal: 1973 *
Autonomous Country within Danish Realm
* Greenland joined the European Economic Community with Denmark in 1973. SPM Time Zone -3 Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (Saint Pierre and Miquelon [FRA]) Saint-Pierre
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1824-39
Self-Governing Territorial Overseas Collectivity of France
CAN Capital Time Zone -5 Canada Ottawa
Metric System Legal: 1871
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 9 Nov 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
frommers.com/destinations/canada/794362
Measurements — Canada uses the metric system, though many Canadians still use miles to measure distance and are familiar with other U.S. forms of measurement.
International System Adoption: 1971
British Overseas Territory
BHS Time Zone -5 Bahamas Nassau
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 18 Aug 1973
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
USA Capital Time Zone -5 United States of America Washington, DC (District of Columbia)
Metric System Legal: 1866
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
MEX Capital Time Zone -6 México (Mexico) Ciudad de México (Mexico City)
Metric System Adoption: 1857
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1896
United Nations Member: 7 Nov 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
CUB Time Zone -5 Cuba La Habana (Havana)
Metric System Introduced: 1849
Metric System Adoption: 1882
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1960
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
JAM Time Zone -5 Jamaica Kingston
International System Adoption: 1973
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1995
Note: In 1995, Jamaica passed an amendment to the Weights and Measures Act to enforce compliance with the metric system.
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1962
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
HTI Time Zone -5 Haïti (Haiti) Port-au-Prince
Metric System Adoption: 1920
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1922
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
DOM Time Zone -4 República Dominicana (Dominican Republic) Santo Domingo
Metric System Introduced by Mother Spain: 1849
Metric System Adoption: 22 May 1867
Presidential Proclamation: 1 Aug 1913
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1942-55
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Note: The whole island of La Española (Hispaniola) had formerly been referred to as San Domingo.
Metric System Introduced by Mother Spain: 1849
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1899 * (Incomplete)
United States Commonwealth Territory
* Puerto Rico became independent in 1898, just days before the invasion by American soldiers during the Spanish-American War. They pushed on with metrication with the approval of the American general. VGB Time Zone -4 British Virgin Islands [GBR] Road Town
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
VIR Time Zone -4 United States Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie
Metric System Legal: (Danmark) 1907
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Insular Area of the United States
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory MAF Time Zone -4 Collectivité de Saint-Martin (Saint Martin [FRA]) Marigot
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1844
UN: Overseas Collectivity of France SXM Time Zone -4 Sint Maarten [NLD] Philipsburg
Metric System Adoption: 1876
Constituent Country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands BLM Time Zone -4 Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy (Saint Barthelemy [FRA]) Gustavia
Metric System Legal: 1878 *
UN: Overseas Collectivity of France
* Sweden gave the island back to France in 1878
ATG Time Zone -4 Antigua and Barbuda Saint John’s
International System Adoption: 1974
United Nations Member: 11 Nov 1981
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
KNA Time Zone -4 Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 23 Sep 1983
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD GLP Time Zone -4 Guadeloupe [FRA] Basse-Terre
Metric System Adoption: 1844
Overseas Region and Department of France
DMA Time Zone -4 Dominica Roseau
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 18 Dec 1978
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1844
Overseas Region and Department of France
LCA Time Zone -4 Sainte-Lucie (French) Saint Lucia (English) Castries
International System Adoption: 2000
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 2005
St Lucia begins drive to implement metric system to catch up with region
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1979
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
BRB Time Zone -4 Barbados Bridgetown
International System Adoption: 1973
United Nations Member: 9 Dec 1966
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
VCT Time Zone -4 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kingstown
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 16 Sep 1980
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
GRD Time Zone -4 Grenada Saint George’s
International System Adoption: 1969
United Nations Member: 17 Sep 1974
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community; Currency: East Caribbean Dollar ($) XCD
TTO Time Zone -4 Trinidad and Tobago Port of Spain
International System Adoption: 1970-71
United Nations Member: 18 Sep 1962
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
Metric System Adoption: 1876
Overseas Region of the Netherlands CUW Time Zone -4 Curaçao [NLD] Willemstad
Metric System Adoption: 1876
Constituent Country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands ABW Time Zone -4 Aruba [NLD] Willemstad
Metric System Adoption: 1876
Constituent Country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
GTM Time Zone -6 Guatemala Guate
Metric System Legal: 1894
Compulsory for All Government Work: 1894
Metric System Adoption: 1910
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 21 Nov 1945
BLZ Time Zone -6 Belize Belmopan
Metric System Adoption: 1910
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
United Nations Member: 25 Sep 1981
Measurements — English measurements are the norm in Belize, although the metric system is making slight inroads.
frommers.com/destinations/belize/272845
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
HND Time Zone -6 Honduras Tegucigalpa
Metric System Legal: 1897
Metric System Adoption: 1910
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 17 Dec 1945
SLV Time Zone -6 El Salvador San Salvador
Metric System Executive Decree: 29 Aug 1885
Compulsory Metric for Government Work: 1 Jan 1886
Metric System Adoption: 1910
Compulsory Metric for General Use: 1912
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
NIC Time Zone -6 Nicaragua Managua
Metric System Legal: 1893
Compulsory Metric Legislation: 1893
Metric System Adoption: 1910
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
CRI Time Zone -6 Costa Rica San José (San Jose)
Metric System Adoption: 1881
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912
United Nations Member: 2 Nov 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
PAN Time Zone -5 Panamá (Panama) Ciudad de Panamá (Panama City)
Introduced when part of Colombian Republic: 1853
Compulsory for Government Departments: 1857
Compulsory Administrative Code: 22 Aug 1916
United Nations Member: 13 Nov 1945
COL Time Zone -5 Colombia Bogotá, Distrito Capital
Metric System Adoption: 1853 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1854
Compulsory for Government Departments: 1857
United Nations Member: 5 Nov 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 21
VEN Time Zone -4 Venezuela Caracas
Metric System Adoption: 1857 *
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1912-14
United Nations Member: 15 Nov 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 27
GUY Time Zone -4 Guyana (Formerly known as British Guiana) Georgetown
International System Adoption: 1971
United Nations Member: 20 Sep 1966
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
SUR Time Zone -3 Suriname Paramaribo
Metric System Adoption: 1871
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1916
United Nations Member: 4 Dec 1975
Member of CARICOM – Caribbean Community
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1840
Overseas Region and Department of France
BRA Capital Time Zone -3 Brasil Brasilia
Metric System Adoption: 1814 and 1862; see MetricPioneer.com/Brasil for more detail
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1874
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
ECU Time Zone -6, -5 Ecuador Quito
Metric System Adoption: 1865-71
United Nations Member: 21 Dec 1945
PER Time Zone -5 Perú (Peru) Lima
Metric System Adoption: 16 Dec 1862
Compulsory for Official Uses: 1869
Compulsory for Commercial Firms: 12 Apr 1916 *
United Nations Member: 31 Oct 1945
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 32-33
BOL Time Zone -4 Bolivia La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional capital)
Metric System Adoption: 1868
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1871
Compulsory for Government Work: 1893 *
United Nations Member: 14 Nov 1945
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 29
PRY Time Zone -4 Paraguay Asunción
Metric System Adoption: 1899
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 25
URY Time Zone -3 Uruguay Montevideo
Metric System Adoption: 1862
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1894
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1918 *
United Nations Member: 18 Dec 1945
* Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 35
ARG Time Zone -3 Argentina Buenos Aires
Metric System Adoption: 1863
Compulsory for Government Work: 1 Jan 1879
Compulsory for General Use: 1 Jan 1887
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 18
Metric System Legal: 1864
Metric System Adoption: 1897
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1995 (Incomplete)
British Overseas Territory
CHL Time Zone -5, -3 Chile Santiago
Metric System Adoption: 1848
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1865
Compulsory Metric Implementation: 1891
United Nations Member: 24 Oct 1945
Note: International paper size A4 is the established ISO standard adopted by all countries in the world (except the United States and Canada) as well as the official United Nations document format size. Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and the Philippines are places where the US Letter Format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.
Metric versus English [Published in 1921] Page 21
British Overseas Territory PCN Time Zone -8 Pitcairn Islands [GBR] Adamstown
British Overseas Territory PYF Time Zone -10, -9.5, -9 Polynésie française (French Polynesia [FRA]) Papeete
Metric System Adoption: 1847
Overseas Collectivity of France COK Time Zone -10 Cook Islands [NZL] Avarua
Metric System Legal: 1925
International System Adoption: 1969
Island Country in Free Association with New Zealand
pacificislands.com/cook-islands/cook-islands-faq.asp#Measure
6. What is the measurement system?
Cook Islanders use the metric system for weights and measures and the Celsius scale for measuring temps. ASM Time Zone -11 American Samoa [USA] Pago Pago
International System Adoption: Incomplete
Compulsory Metric Implementation: ____
Unincorporated Territory of the United States
frommers.com/destinations/american-samoa/271416
Weights & Measures — American Samoa is the only country or territory in the South Pacific whose official system of weights and measures is the same as the U.S. — pounds and miles, not the metric system of kilograms and kilometers. NIU Time Zone -11 Niuē (Niue) [NZL] Alofi
Metric System Legal: 1925
International System Adoption: 1969
Self-Governing State in Free Association with New Zealand
Determination and Construction of the Metric Units
Having finally made the decision that a system of weights and measures different from any of those then in use was necessary in the interest of simplicity and uniformity, the French Government in 1790 appointed a committee of the Academy of Science to undertake the making of a new system based upon some fundamental scientific measure. Three measures were proposed, namely: the length of a second’s pendulum, the length of a quadrant of a terrestrial equator, and the length of a quadrant of a terrestrial meridian. The committee reported in favor of the terrestrial meridian measure and decided to use the one ten-millionth of a quadrant of the meridian passing through Dunkirk and Barcelona as the standard unit of linear measure under the new system. To this unit of length the designation “meter” was assigned.
Source 1: Adoption and compulsory implementation dates are mostly from Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1 Page 7: The General Conference on Weights and Measures Table 2-2 Adoption and compulsory implementation dates for the metric system – shown here:
Take this trivia survey and gain a wealth of knowledge about the magnitude of your planet:
Page History:
27 Jun 2012 Metric Pioneer Online
05 Aug 2012 List of Nations Updated
07 Aug 2016 List of Nations Updated and Expanded
09 Jul 2017 Link added to each flag
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