The Diomede Islands: Two Worlds Separated by Time and Borders

In the middle of the Bering Strait, two small islands sit just 2.4 miles (3.8 km) apart but exist in completely different time zones, countries, and political landscapes. These islands—Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (USA)—are separated by the International Date Line, creating a 20-hour time difference between them. This unique geographical anomaly has led to their nicknames: “Tomorrow Island” (Big Diomede) and “Yesterday Island” (Little Diomede).

Who Lives on the Diomede Islands?
Despite their close proximity, the islands have vastly different populations.

Big Diomede (Russia):

Currently uninhabited.
Used as a Russian military outpost and weather station.
Was home to indigenous Inupiat people until the Soviet Union relocated them to the Russian mainland in the 1940s to prevent contact with Americans during the Cold War.
Controlled by Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in Russia.
Little Diomede (USA):

Home to about 80–100 people, mostly indigenous Iñupiat.
Has a small village, a school, a post office, and a heliport (as there is no airport).
Residents rely on hunting, fishing, and government support.
Part of Alaska, USA.
Can You Travel Between the Islands?
Despite being only a short distance apart, crossing between the two islands is illegal without proper authorization.

A visa is required to travel between the USA and Russia.
There is no official border crossing or regular ferry service between the islands.
During the Cold War, this area was known as the “Ice Curtain,” mirroring the Iron Curtain in Europe.
In winter, the sea between the islands freezes, making it theoretically possible to walk across, but doing so is strictly prohibited and could result in arrest by either country’s authorities.

A Glimpse Into the Past and Future
The unique time zone difference means that standing on Little Diomede (USA), one can literally look into “tomorrow” on Big Diomede (Russia). Conversely, someone on Big Diomede is gazing back at “yesterday” in the United States. This makes the Diomede Islands one of the most fascinating geographical locations in the world, symbolizing both closeness and separation at the same time.

Despite their isolation, the islands remain a powerful reminder of how politics, geography, and history can divide communities—even those separated by just a few miles of icy water.