Which countries use miles instead of kilometers?

Miles vs. Kilometers: A Global Measurement Divide

In the vast tapestry of the world’s measurements, two systems stand out: the metric system and the imperial system. While the metric system, with its decimal-based units, has gained widespread adoption, there remain a few holdouts that cling to the imperial system’s miles, feet, and pounds.

The Last Bastions of Miles

Among the nations that continue to use miles instead of kilometers, the most prominent are the United Kingdom, the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar. These countries are the guardians of a legacy system that dates back centuries.

UK: The Birthplace of Imperial Units

The United Kingdom is the birthplace of the imperial system. It was here in the 13th century that the mile, originally defined as 5,280 feet, was first standardized. Centuries later, as the British Empire spread its influence across the globe, so too did the imperial system.

USA: A Nation Divided

Across the Atlantic, the United States adopted the imperial system after gaining independence from Britain. However, unlike the UK, the US has made some concessions to the metric system. In science, engineering, and many aspects of daily life, metric units are widely used. Yet, miles remain the standard unit for road distances and speed limits.

Liberia: A Legacy of Colonialism

Liberia, a small West African nation, gained its independence from the US in 1847. As a former American colony, Liberia inherited the imperial system along with its laws and institutions. Despite efforts to switch to the metric system, miles continue to be used in everyday life.

Myanmar: A Cultural Disconnect

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is another country that retains the imperial system. Despite being surrounded by metric-using neighbors, Myanmar has resisted the conversion due to a cultural preference for traditional units. In daily life, miles and feet are commonly used alongside local units such as pyis and taungs.

A Stubborn Persistence

The persistence of miles in these four countries is a testament to the power of tradition and the challenges of transitioning to a new measurement system. While the metric system offers many advantages in terms of ease of use and consistency, cultural inertia and practical considerations have hindered its complete adoption.

Conclusion

In the modern world, the metric system has become the lingua franca of measurement. However, in the nooks and crannies of the globe, the legacy of the imperial system lingers on. The use of miles in the UK, US, Liberia, and Myanmar serves as a reminder that the world of measurement is not as uniform as we often assume. It is a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the challenges of bringing about universal standardization.