They governed the territory, which they called Russian America, for nearly a century before selling it to the United States in 1867. The Bering Strait serves as the narrow gateway between the Northern Pacific and the Arctic Ocean, and it is the sole reason Alaska and Russia are considered neighbors.
Understanding Alaska and Russia's Proximity and the Bering Strait Divide
The Diomede Islands: Neighbors Divided by Time The Diomede Islands are the physical embodiment of the Alaska-Russia connection. The simple answer to whether these two regions are close is a definitive yes, but the nature of that closeness is complex, geographical, historical, and geopolitical.
Remnants of this era, such as place names and the Russian Orthodox faith in Alaska, serve as a lasting cultural bridge that connects the two regions. Standing on the shores of Little Diomede, a person can see the rocky cliffs of Big Diomede on a clear day.
Understanding Alaska and Russia's Proximity and the Bering Strait Divide
Big Diomede belongs to Russia, while Little Diomede is part of the United States, making this tiny stretch of water the official boundary between the two countries and the closest point between Alaska and the Russian mainland. This geographical oddity creates a unique human landscape, where neighbors live on opposite sides of the world, separated by a swimmable distance but an uncrossable political border.
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More perspective on Are alaska and russia close can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
