Diomede Islands
The Diomede Islands (/ˌdaɪ.əˈmiːdiː/; Russian: острова́ Диоми́да, romanized: ostrova Diomida), also known in Russia as Gvozdev Islands (Russian: острова́ Гво́здева, romanized: ostrova Gvozdeva), consist of two rocky, mesa-like islands:
- The Russian island of Big Diomede (part of Chukotka), also known as Imaqłiq, Inaliq, Nunarbuk or Ratmanov Island
- The U.S. island of Little Diomede (part of Alaska) or Iŋaliq, also known as Krusenstern Island
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Diomede Islands: Little Diomede (left, U.S.) and Big Diomede,(right, Russia) viewed from the north, looking south | |
Satellite photo of the Bering Strait, with the Diomede Islands at center | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bering Strait |
| Coordinates | 65°47′N 169°01′W |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Area | 35 km2 (14 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Russia / United States | |
| Demographics | |
| Population |
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| Additional information | |
| Time zones |
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The Diomede Islands are located in the middle of the Bering Strait between mainland Alaska and Siberia. If marginal seas are considered, then they are the northernmost islands within the entire Pacific Ocean. To the north is the Chukchi Sea and to the south is the Bering Sea. Fairway Rock, 9.3 km (5.8 mi) to the southeast, is also Alaskan, but generally not seen as part of the Diomede Islands. Because they are separated by the International Date Line, Big Diomede is almost a day ahead of Little Diomede, but not completely; due to locally defined time zones, Big Diomede is only 21 hours ahead of Little Diomede (20 in summer). Because of this, the islands are sometimes called Tomorrow Island (Big Diomede) and Yesterday Island (Little Diomede).