Little Diomede Island is a very small and obscure island located in the middle of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia. The island is only about 1.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide, and has a population of just a dozen people. Little Diomede Island has no roads, no buildings, and no utilities – it’s basically an uninhabited island that you can only reach by boat or by air.
Contents
History
Little Diomede Island first appears on European maps in the 16th century, but it wasn’t until 1927 that a Russian expedition discovered the island and began exploring it. The island was officially named Little Diomede by the Russians in 1935, and since then it has been part of Russia.
In 1992, after years of negotiations between Russia and America, Little Diomede Island was transferred to American ownership as part of the 198 nations treaty that ended the Cold War. Since then, Little Diomede has been administered by Alaska’s Office of Geographic Names. In addition to being a remote and obscure island that is practically impossible to reach, Little Diomede has a unique set of rules for how it’s governed. Since the state department can’t get anyone on the little island itself, they’ve allowed people living in nearby areas full autonomy over their own governments while still allowing them close ties with the federal government (for example: those living on Big Diomede are not U.S. citizens but they do have immigration status). This arrangement has led to multiple self-governments going simultaneously – there is one town named Lexington, leading people often to refer to Little Diomede as “the US’s second town.” Because of the island’s isolated nature, it is also unique in being a place where people can actually practice their own religion freely without interference.
Climate
Little Diomede Island has a very cold and windy climate, with temperatures averaging around −10°C in winter and about 18°C during the summer. Because of its location near the North Pole, Little Diomede is one of only a few places on Earth where permanent daylight never ends.
Culture
The people of Little Diomede are descendants of the Aleut and Yupik tribes. The island has a small permanent population, but every summer an influx of Russian tourists brings with them a mix of Old World customs and new technologies. Today, there is no official language on the island, but English is commonly used. More than anything else, however, the people on Little Diomede hold onto their traditions and folklore – tales that have been passed down for centuries are still told today by storytellers around fires during winter nights.
Politics
Little Diomede is a self-governing island within the United States, with its own elected officials and legal system. There are no military forces on the island, but it maintains close ties with Washington D.C., and regularly participates in federal debates and votes.
Government services
Little Diomede has its own post office, hospital, and police force. It also participates in the United States Postal Service’s Universal Service Fund, which helps to subsidize the costs of delivering mail to rural and isolated areas. People from Little Diomede can receive government-subsidized medical services at the Mark McBride Memorial General Hospital, now serving as a branch of City Medical Center on Elmendorf Air Force Base.
Little Diomede participates in federal law enforcement efforts and is home to the Office of Special Assistant United States Attorney (OSAA), which prosecutes US Federal crimes committed within 12 miles’ radius of Little Diomede’s shoreline or territorial waters.
Tourism
The small permanent population of the island is supplemented each summer by a large influx of Russian tourists, who come to experience the traditional customs and folklore of the Aleut and Yupik tribes. Some visitors enjoy hunting for whales or fishing in the Sea of Okhotsk; others simply spend time chatting with locals while enjoying a cold drink at one of Diomede’s many cafes.
Transport
Little Diomede is accessible only by sea, and there is no road or airstrip on the island. The only means of transportation from one side of the island to the other is by boat or plane. Drawbridges at three main points along the perimeter of Little Diomede are lowered to allow access to and from helicopters. Seaplanes use a relatively short landing strip on Hagemeister Island, while boats make their way through the remains of an old naval base in a small cove on Chenega Bay.
The U.S military maintains stations at each end of the island; Station Amorose is south-east and north west respectively, while Shumagin East covers most of its northern half.
Conclusion
Little Diomede Island is a small island located in the middle of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia. It is believed to be the most southerly point in the United States and Russia and one of the most northerly points in North America. The island is also home to Little Diomede, which is an inactive volcano. Aside from its geological features, Diomede Island is also known for its wildlife. The island is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. It is also a stopover for migratory birds that use the island as a stop on their journey.
FAQs
How Large Is Diomede Island?
Diomede Island is only about 1.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide, making it one of the smallest islands in the world.
What Do The People On Diomede Island Do For A Living?
The island’s population consists of just a dozen people who primarily rely on subsistence farming and hunting to survive. The island does not have any roads or buildings, so most of the residents’ activities revolve around accessing supplies by boat or air transport.
Is There Any Accommodation Available On Diomede Island ?
There is no accommodation on Diomede Island. You cannot stay overnight at the island as it does not have any buildings, roads or hotels. There are however campsites available along with open-air shelters in which to stay while you enjoy your time on the island, if that’s what you prefer!
4 . What Are Diomede Islanders Called?
A: They’re referred to locally as “Diomes”, but I guess they could be more accurately described as “Dedive” (which means ‘earth’ in Eskimo).
5 . Where Did People First Settle And Where Do They Live Now?
A: The island was used as a summer encampment by the Inupiat people, who were members of an Athabascan tribe that lived on the Canadian Arctic coast. When Europeans arrived in North America, they convinced many inhabitants to move southward with them and establish settlements along coastal regions; however traditional means of subsistence did not always reflect readily compatible ideals for rural farming communities based exclusively upon hunting and gathering resources from their environment.
Leave a Reply