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Geographical Location & Topography.
The Diomede Islands are a pair of small islands in the Bering Strait between Russia and the United States. They consist of:-
Big Diomede (Russia):
The larger of the two, located at 65°46′N 169°03′W, is controlled by Russia and uninhabited, primarily serving as a military outpost.-
Little Diomede (USA):
Located at 65°45′N 168°57′W, this island belongs to the United States and has a small native Inuit population of about 100 people.
These islands are only about 4 km (2.4 miles) apart but are separated by the International Date Line, making Big Diomede 21 hours ahead of Little Diomede—leading to the nickname “Tomorrow Island” and “Yesterday Island.”
Historical Context.
Originally, both islands were inhabited by the same indigenous peoples who moved freely between them.
However, during the Cold War, the Soviet Union forcibly evacuated Big Diomede’s population and established a military base.
The Bering Strait effectively became the “Ice Curtain,” preventing movement between the islands.
Today, the situation remains unchanged, with Big Diomede serving as Russian military territory and Little Diomede as a remote Alaskan settlement.
Present Status and Recognition.
De Jure Status: The islands are recognized as belonging to their respective nations under international law.-
De Facto Status: There is no direct connection between the islands, and political tensions between the US and Russia keep the division strict.-
The Whiskey War and Canada-Denmark’s New Border Agreement.
Geographical Location & Background
The Whiskey War was a territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island, a 1.3 square km rock located in the Nares Strait between Greenland (Denmark) and Canada’s Ellesmere Island.
History of the Dispute
1973: Canada and Denmark established maritime boundaries but left Hans Island unresolved.-
1984: The “Whiskey War” began when Denmark’s Minister of Greenland Affairs planted a Danish flag and left a bottle of Danish schnapps.- Canada responded by planting its own flag and leaving a bottle of Canadian whiskey.-
This lighthearted exchange continued for decades, symbolizing a friendly yet unresolved dispute.
New Border Agreement (2022)
In 2022, Canada and Denmark officially resolved the dispute, splitting Hans Island in half, creating the first land border between Canada and Denmark.
Present Status and Recognition- De Jure Status: The agreement has been legally ratified, making it an official boundary.-
De Facto Status: Both countries peacefully share the island, setting an example of diplomatic resolution.
Both the Diomede Islands and the Whiskey War highlight how geography influences political and legal realities.
While the Diomede Islands remain symbols of Cold War-era division, Canada and Denmark’s resolution over Hans Island demonstrates how diplomacy can settle territorial disputes peacefully.—
