Two Islands, Two Nations
The Diomede Islands consist of two small land masses in the Bering Strait: Big Diomede, controlled by Russia, and Little Diomede, belonging to the United States. They are separated by just 2.4 miles of water but lie on either side of the International Date Line.
A Time Difference of 21 Hours
The Date Line creates a unique phenomenon. Big Diomede is almost a full day ahead of Little Diomede, giving them the nicknames “Tomorrow Island” and “Yesterday Island.” Despite their proximity, the islands exist in different time zones and geopolitical realities.
A Frozen Bridge in Winter
During winter, the sea between the islands often freezes, forming an ice bridge. In theory, it’s possible to walk between the two nations, though this is strictly prohibited due to political and border regulations.
Sparse Population and Military Presence
Big Diomede has no permanent residents, serving as a Russian military base, while Little Diomede is home to a small indigenous Inupiat community. The islands remain a rare geographical and temporal anomaly, highlighting their stark contrasts.
The Diomede Islands are two small islands in the Bering Strait: Big Diomede, controlled by Russia, and Little Diomede, part of the United States. Just 2.4 miles apart, they are separated by the International Date Line, putting them almost a full day apart. pic.twitter.com/OSCf3RjSJn
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 19, 2024