How to get a time zone from a location using latitude and longitude coordinates?

Question

Given the latitude and longitude of a location, how does one know what time zone is in effect in that location?

In most cases, we are looking for an IANA/Olson time z

Answer 1

Here's how you can use Google's script editor to get the timezoneName and timeZoneId inside a gsheet.

Step 1. Get an API key for Google's timezone API

Step 2. Create a new gsheet. Underneath the 'tools' menu click 'script editor'. Add the following code:

function getTimezone(lat, long) {  
  var apiKey = 'INSERTAPIKEYHERE'
  var url = 'https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/timezone/json?location=' + lat + ',' + long + '×tamp=1331161200&key=' + apiKey 
  var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url);
  var data = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());
  return data["timeZoneName"];
}

Step 3. Save and publish your getTimezone() function and use it as shown in the image above.