Little Diomede vs. Big Diomede: The Two Islands Divided by Time and Politics

In the icy waters of the Bering Strait, two small islands stand only about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) apart, yet they are worlds away in terms of geography, politics, and even time. These are the Diomede Islands: Little Diomede (part of the United States) and Big Diomede (belonging to Russia). Despite their proximity, these islands are separated by an international border—and the International Date Line—creating a stark divide that reflects both the physical and symbolic distance between the two.

Geography and Ownership

Little Diomede, the smaller of the two islands, is part of Alaska in the United States. It covers around 7.3 square kilometers (2.8 square miles) and is home to a small native Inuit community in the village of Diomede. With fewer than 100 residents, the people here live in a harsh Arctic environment, relying on traditional subsistence activities like hunting and fishing to survive. The island is known for its rugged terrain, steep cliffs, and a lifestyle shaped by the extreme weather conditions of the Bering Strait.

Big Diomede, on the other hand, is much larger, covering about 29 square kilometers (11 square miles), and belongs to Russia. Unlike Little Diomede, Big Diomede has no permanent residents. It is a strategic military outpost, primarily used by the Russian military, with no civilian settlements. This difference in human habitation further separates the two islands, as one is a remote community, while the other serves as a stark military frontier.

The Time and Political Divide

What makes the Diomede Islands truly unique is the time difference between them. The International Date Line, which zigzags between the islands, runs right through the Bering Strait, meaning that even though the islands are close in distance, they are separated by a 21-hour time difference. Big Diomede, part of Russia, is almost a full day ahead of Little Diomede in Alaska.

This time gap has earned the two islands the nicknames "Tomorrow Island" (Big Diomede) and "Yesterday Island" (Little Diomede). From Little Diomede, you can literally see into the future—by looking across the water to Big Diomede, you are peering into the next calendar day. The islands’ unique positioning has made them a symbol of the political and temporal divide between the U.S. and Russia.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Diomede Islands weren’t always divided. Historically, the Inuit people moved freely between the two islands, sharing a common culture, language, and way of life. However, during the Cold War, the political tension between the United States and the Soviet Union effectively cut off contact between the two islands.

In 1948, the Soviet Union evacuated the native population from Big Diomede, turning it into a military base. This separation remains to this day, and while Little Diomede’s residents can still see the outline of Big Diomede on the horizon, direct contact has been largely nonexistent for decades.

Climate and Environment

Both islands share a similar Arctic climate, with freezing temperatures, long winters, and brief, cool summers. The sea around the Diomedes is often covered in ice during the winter months, making travel between them virtually impossible. However, in the summer, the ice melts, revealing the treacherous waters of the Bering Strait.

Little Diomede’s inhabitants have adapted to this challenging environment. Their homes are built to withstand the extreme cold, and they rely on the surrounding sea for food, hunting seals, walrus, and birds. Big Diomede, being uninhabited, is mostly a barren, cold outpost.

Travel and Accessibility

Visiting either of the Diomede Islands is an adventure in itself. Little Diomede is only accessible by helicopter or, during the winter months, by plane when the sea ice is thick enough. The island is so remote that regular services like postal delivery are sporadic, and most supplies must be flown in.

Big Diomede, being a Russian military base, is off-limits to civilians, making it nearly impossible to visit unless you have special military clearance. This inaccessibility only heightens the mystique of the two islands and underscores the contrast between them.

Epilogue

Though Little Diomede and Big Diomede sit just a few kilometers apart, the differences between them are vast. One is a tiny, inhabited U.S. island where traditional life continues in the harsh Arctic; the other is a Russian military outpost, closed off from the world. Divided by an international border, a 21-hour time difference, and decades of political history, these islands are a powerful symbol of how geography and politics can shape the destiny of even the smallest of places. Despite their separation, the Diomedes remain a fascinating glimpse into the complex relationship between the U.S. and Russia, offering both a literal and metaphorical look across the border.