If we look at the World Map, Russia & USA are two of the largest countries of the world. However, politically and geographically, their power centres are far apart. But if anyone has been keen enough and loves to play with the globe, they would know that at the International date line, Russia's landmass is very close to the American state of Alaska. However, it's not the edge of these landmasses that share the closest distance between the two countries, it is somewhere else.
In the middle of the Bering Strait lie the Diomede Islands comprising of two isles- Big Diomede and Little Diomede. Though they share the same name, they do not share the same continent. Big Diomede is administered by Russia, hence is a part of Asia, while Little Diomede is administered by Alaska, USA, and is a part of North America. The closest distance between the islands is 3.8 kms and during winters the frozen sea makes a bridge between the two islands and one can literally walk between Russia & USA . But wait! You can't actually, as it is forbidden to travel between the islands. So until these countries decide in favour of tourism, you will have to wait a little.
However, you can reach Little Diomede by Bering Air from Alaska, and have a view of the military occupied Big Diomede across the sea. The islands have a 21 hour time difference going with the local standard time, and Big Diomede receives the first sunlight of the day, though due to adjustments in the International date line, it has lost out to other places which are ahead of it on the time map.
How to reach?
Bering Air operates regular flights to Little Diomede from Nome & Wales airport in Alaska only a few months in a year. The only runway in Little Diomede runs into the frozen sea and when it melts the island is accessible only by boat and helicopter. Though it's not very easy to visit these fascinating islands presently, we can hope that tourism develops here in the future. Until then, you can have the Diomede Islands on your Crazy Bucket List.
