Although the two islands of Big and Little Diomede in the Bering Strait are only five kilometers apart, they are separated by almost a whole day thanks to different time zones. The difference between the two islands can be 20 or 21 hours, depending on the time of year, writes CNBC.
If you've ever wanted to become a real time traveler, just visit two islands in the Bering Strait that separates Siberia from Alaska. Due to the unusual time difference, the islands were nicknamed "the islands of yesterday and tomorrow".
The gap between Big Diomede on the Russian side and Little Diomede on the American side is less than five kilometers, but the two isolated islands are separated by the International Date Line, meaning there is a 20-hour or 21-hour time zone difference. - clock.
The International Date Line is a line that cuts a path across the Pacific Ocean, marking where one day ends and another begins. Because of this, Big Diomede is almost a day ahead of Little Diomede, despite the fact that only a small body of water separates them.
During the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, it would be almost impossible to cross the distance between the islands, as the sea freezes. At other times of the year, it may even be possible to float or row from one calendar day to another, forwards or backwards.
The islands were named after the Greek Saint Diomedes, who lived around the third and fourth centuries. They got their names after they were discovered by the Danish-Russian navigator Vitus Bering - after whom the Bering Strait is named - on August 16, 1728. August 16 is the day in the Russian Orthodox calendar that celebrates Saint Diomede.
Most people will never be able to cross the path between the two islands, but in August 1987, American swimmer Lynne Cox managed to cross the icy waters.
Although the distance was just under five kilometers, the swimmer, as well as anyone else who wants to do the same, needs great stamina and courage.
Big Diomedes doesn't offer much reason to visit because no one lives in it. While on the neighboring island - Little Diomede, only a few people live and the latest data show that there are 110 people.
