Distance between US and Russia at closest point

The two superpowers Russia and US, despite looking far away, are only 3.8 km away, but the time difference between the two is over 21 hours. 

If you look at the world map, you will feel that the United States of America and Russia are far away from each other, in fact, they seem to be on opposite sides of the world. But in reality, they are just 3.8 km apart.

Distance between US and Russia at closest point
How far is Russia from the US? | Image: NASA

According to alaskacenters.gov, the smallest distance between mainland Alaska mainland Russia and is approximately 88.5 kilometres (55 miles).

But, an island in the Pacific ocean separates the two countries by a mere distance of 3.8 kilometres (2.4 miles).

Bering Strait located in the Pacific Ocean is the closest geographic point between the borders of the USA and Russia. Big Diomede and Little Diomede are two small islands in the Bering Strait, that are just 3.8 km away from each other.

The Little Diomede island is owned by the US, while Big Diomede is the property of Russia.

Interestingly, despite being so close to each other the two islands have a time difference of 21 hours. Big Diomede is 21 hours ahead of Little Diomede.

Also Read:Russia’s offer to foreign firms: stay, leave or hand over the keys

Due to this reason, the island Big Diomedes is also known as Tomorrow Island while Little Diomedes is also known as Yesterday Island.

Surprisingly, during the winter, the water between these two islands actually freezes over. So, if you were to walk from the US to Russia on this seasonal sea ice, you would literally be walking into the next day. However, travelling between the two islands is not allowed by the US and Russia.

Alaska, in 1867, was purchased by the United States from Russia and a new border was drawn between the two islands.

Comments

Distance from Russia to United States is 8,909 kilometers. This air travel distance is equal to 5,536 miles.

The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Russia and United States is 8,909 km= 5,536 miles.

If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Russia to United States, It takes 9.89 hours to arrive.

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Distance between US and Russia at closest point

The Bering Strait links the icy Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea and separates the continents of Asia and North America at their closest point (Cape Dezhnev and Alaska) and is approximately 65° 40′ north, slightly south of the polar circle.

Although the Strait’s narrowest point is about 53 miles (85 km) wide, there are two islands in its center, Little Diomede (U.S.) and Big Diomede (Russia), which bring the distance of these two nations only 2.5 (4 km) miles apart at their closest point.

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Although the Strait’s narrowest point is about 53 miles (85 km) wide, there are two islands in its center, Little Diomede (U.S.) and Big Diomede (Russia), which bring the distance of these two nations only 2.5 (4 km) miles apart at their closest point.

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Distance between US and Russia at closest point
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Distance between US and Russia at closest point
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What is the closest point between Russia and USA?

The closest geographic point between the borders of the United States and Russia lies in the Bering Strait located in the Pacific Ocean. The Diomedes Islands mark the closest point between Russia and the United States. What is this? Located between midland Siberia and the state of Alaska are two small islands.

How far is USA from Russia at the shortest possible distance?

The closest geographic point between the borders of the USA and Russia lies in the Bering Strait located in the Pacific Ocean. The islands of Big Diomede and Little Diomede are just 2.4 miles away from each other, but time-wise, they are 21 hours apart.

How far apart are Russia and America?

The Diomede Islands—Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (US)—are only 3.8 km (2.4 mi) apart.