Russia–United States border, maritime border
The Russia-United States border in Alaska is an international boundary that separates the two nations by both land and sea. It spans approximately 168 km (104 miles) across the Bering Strait and includes a land boundary in the Yukon Triangle region.
This border was established in 1867 when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia, redrawing the political boundaries between the two nations. The maritime boundary in the Bering Sea was later formalized through modern international agreements.
The border is generally not directly accessible as it crosses open waters of the Bering Strait and is marked by harsh weather conditions. Visitors can explore this region only with special permits and often only by boat or plane.
The two Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait lie only about 3.8 km (2.4 miles) apart, with one belonging to Russia and the other to the United States. Local residents can see each other on clear days but are completely separated by the international boundary.
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