Ball State University Libraries Map Shows Russian/American Border

Alaska Map from the GRMC Reveals Close Proximity of Russia and the United States

More Americans are becoming aware of the border between Russia and the United States thanks in part to John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, as his running mate in the presidential election. The Bering Strait separates the two countries, and the islands in the Strait are considered strategically important.

The Diomedes Islands lie on either side of the International Date Line in the Bering Strait. When Alaska was purchased from Russia, Big Diomede Island remained Russian, but Little Diomede became territory of the United States. During the winter season, the channel between the two islands freezes over, making it possible to walk the approximately 2.5 miles between them. America’s Little Diomede is about thirty miles from Siberia. St. Lawrence Island lies about forty miles from Siberia.

The islands and their proximity to Russia to the northwest are shown on the map above. (Click on the map for a larger view). This map of Alaska was produced by the National Geographic Society in 1994 and is available for circulation from the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library. The call number for the map is G4370 1994.N31.