Big Diomede is owned by Russia and Little Diomede is owned by the USA.
At such times one can practically walk between the United States and Russia.
Of course, this is only in theory.
Crossing the Bering Strait is not legally permitted.
The islands were originally inhabited by Yupik Eskimos as long as 3,000 years ago.
The first European to reach the islands was the Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnyov in 1648.
When the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, it included the Little Diomede.
The new boundary was drawn between the two Diomede Islands and the Big Diomede was left to Russia.
Most supplies come from an annual barge delivery from the mainland from stores like Wal-Mart.
A few residents work for the local government or school.
There has been some commercial fishing and mining on the island, but both industries are in decline.
Big Diomede island on the left.
