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42-563: This bay is located very close to the Bering Strait , which lies only a few km to the NE. The bay is open towards the southeast; it is 45 km in length and has an average width of about 8 km. There are two little islands inside the bay where it narrows forming an inlet. On the southern shore of the bay at Cape Hargilah is the village of Port Lawrence . British Captain James Cook landed for

84-533: A Franco-American syndicate represented by de Lobel to begin work on the Trans-Siberian Alaska railroad project, but no physical work ever commenced. Suggestions have been made to construct a Bering Strait bridge between Alaska and Siberia. Despite the unprecedented engineering, political, and financial challenges, Russia green-lit a US$ 65-billion TKM-World Link tunnel project in August 2011. If completed,

126-491: A few hours in St. Lawrence Bay and met some of the local Chukchi people in August 1778, but he didn't linger in the bay. This bay was first surveyed by Russian mariner Count Fyodor Petrovich Litke in 1828. This Chukotka Autonomous Okrug location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Bering Strait The Bering Strait ( Russian : Берингов пролив , romanized :  Beringov proliv )

168-508: A few private vehicles and dirt motorcycles. Some residents will travel by wood vessels around Sarichef Island and a barge delivers goods and materials to Shishmaref when it is ice free. Shishmaref Airport is the only means of connecting the town to the rest of Alaska. The airport replaced an earlier airport which is now occupied by housing near the lagoon. Houses in Shishmaref are pre-fabricated and mostly single story. Construction material

210-508: A household in the city was $ 30,714, and the median income for a family was $ 29,306. Males had a median income of $ 35,357 versus $ 25,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 10,487. About 16.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over. Shishmaref is served by the Bering Strait School District . Shishmaref School

252-526: A team of 65 swimmers from 17 countries performed a relay swim across the Bering Strait, the first such swim in history. They swam from Cape Dezhnev, Russia, to Cape Prince of Wales , United States (roughly 110 kilometers (68 mi), due to the current). They had direct support from the Russian Navy, using one of its ships, and assistance with permission. A physical link between Asia and North America via

294-702: Is a strait between the Pacific and Arctic oceans, separating the Chukchi Peninsula of the Russian Far East from the Seward Peninsula of Alaska . The present Russia - United States maritime boundary is at 168° 58' 37" W longitude , slightly south of the Arctic Circle at about 65° 40' N latitude . The Strait is named after Vitus Bering , a Danish-born Russian explorer. The Bering Strait has been

336-436: Is an Iñupiaq village. Researchers, journalists and the occasional tourist visit Shishmaref, and the city has acquired a reputation for being a gracious host. Residents rely heavily on a subsistence lifestyle, that is, hunting and gathering much of their food. Primary food sources include sea mammals such as ugruk ( bearded seal ), other seals, and walrus , fish, birds (such as ptarmigan ), caribou and moose . The village

378-449: Is estimated at $ 180 million, nearly $ 320,000 per resident. The village was told by the Obama administration that no federal money was available, therefore tensions arose in 2013 when John Kerry announced Vietnam would receive $ 17 million to deal with climate change. Erosion rates along the island front exceed (and are not comparable with) those along adjacent sectors. Erosion is occurring along

420-570: Is located on Sarichef Island in the Chukchi Sea , just north of the Bering Strait and five miles from the mainland. Shishmaref lies within the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve . The population was 563 at the 2010 census , up from 562 in 2000. Shishmaryov is probably a variant of Russian Shyshmánov from Turkic šyšman ‘fat’, but there is also Old Russian šiš ‘rogue, knave’ and Maréev ‘(son of) marine’. The name

462-455: Is located) is part of a dynamic, 100 km-long barrier island chain that records human and environmental history spanning the past 2000 years; the oldest subaerial evidence for the formation of this system is about 1700 years before present, according to carbon 14 dating (see References, below). Erosion at Shishmaref is unique along the islands because of its fetch exposure and high tidal prism, relatively intense infrastructure development during

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504-869: Is mostly wood board and sometimes metal. The homes are often damaged from erosion. Local healthcare services are provided by the Katherine Miksruag Olanna Health Clinic, a member of the Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) based in Nome, AK. Certified health aides provide general services including lab work, vaccinations, health screenings, and treatment of acute health issues. The clinic utilizes NSHC's electronic medical record system, as well as other modern technologies including video teleconferencing and remote medication dispensing, in order to provide quality care to its patients. Healthcare providers of various specialties also routinely visit

546-498: Is the only school in town and serves grades Pre-K through 12 with a population of 183 students and 33 pre-school children. There are 19 teachers at Shishmaref School and is the largest and newest building in settlement. There are three main roads, Main Street-Airport Road, Housing Trail and Clinic Road. Roads are not paved but have street lighting and do not connect to the outside beyond Shishmaref. Vehicles are mostly ATVs with

588-565: Is well known in the region for its high-quality seal oil and fermented meat . Shishmaref is known for its Native art. Local artists carve sculptures from whalebone and walrus ivory, that are much sought after by galleries in Alaska and the Lower 48 states. George Aden Ahgupuk (1911–2001), a prominent Iñupiaq sculptor and draftsman lived in Shishmaref. Shishmaref was home to one of Alaska's most-beloved dog mushers. Herbie Nayokpuk (1929–2006), known as

630-622: The North American continent . Its deepest point is only 90 m (300 ft) in depth. It borders the Chukchi Sea (part of the Arctic Ocean ) to the north and the Bering Sea to the south. The strait is a unique habitat sparsely populated by the Yupik , Inuit , and Chukchi people who have cultural and linguistic ties to each other. From at least 1562, European geographers thought that there

672-557: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (19 km ), of which, 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ) of it is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km ) of it (61.62%) is water. Shishmaref was named in 1821 by explorer Lt. Otto von Kotzebue , of the Imperial Russian Navy , after Capt. Lt. Gleb Shishmaryov who accompanied him on his exploration. Sarichef Island (on which Shishmaref

714-510: The "Ice Curtain". It was completely closed, and there was no regular passenger air or boat traffic. Since 2012, the Russian coast of the Bering Strait has been a closed military zone . Through organized trips and the use of special permits, it is possible for foreigners to visit. All arrivals must be through an airport or a cruise port, near the Bering Strait only at Anadyr or Provideniya . Unauthorized travelers who arrive on shore after crossing

756-600: The "Shishmaref Cannonball," finished the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race numerous times, including a second-place finish. Shishmaref first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1969. As of the census of 2000, there were 562 people, 142 households, and 110 families residing in the city. The population density was 202.0 inhabitants per square mile (78.0/km ). There were 148 housing units at an average density of 53.2 per square mile (20.5/km ). The racial makeup of

798-586: The 103-kilometer (64 mi) tunnel would be the world's longest. China considered construction of a "China-Russia-Canada-America" railroad line that would include construction of a 200-kilometer-long (120 mi) underwater tunnel that would cross the Bering Strait. In 1956, the Soviet Union proposed to the US a joint bi-national project to warm the Arctic Ocean and melt some of the ice cap. As designed by Petr Borisov,

840-415: The 20th century, and multiple shoreline defense structures built beginning in the 1970s. The effect of global climate change upon Shishmaref is sometimes seen as the most dramatic in the world. Rising temperatures have resulted in a reduction in the sea ice which serves to buffer Shishmaref from storm surges . At the same time, the permafrost that the village is built on has also begun to melt, making

882-575: The Bering Strait by removing St. Lawrence Island and parts of Seward and Chukotski Peninsulas . A strait 320 kilometers (200 mi) wide would let the Japan Current melt the Arctic Ocean. In the 21st century, a 300-kilometer (190 mi) dam has also been proposed. However, the aim of the proposal is to preserve the Arctic ice cap against global warming. During the Cold War , the Bering Strait marked

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924-454: The Bering Strait nearly became a reality in 1864 when a Russian-American telegraph company began preparations for an overland telegraph line connecting Europe and America via the east. It was abandoned when the undersea Atlantic Cable proved successful. A further proposal for a bridge-and-tunnel link from eastern Russia to Alaska was made by French engineer Baron Loicq de Lobel in 1906. Czar Nicholas II of Russia issued an order authorising

966-421: The Soviet Union in 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) water during the last years of the Cold War . She was congratulated jointly by American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev . In June and July 1989, three independent teams attempted the first modern sea-kayak crossing of the Bering Strait. The groups were: seven Alaskans, who called their effort Paddling Into Tomorrow (i.e. crossing

1008-618: The Soviet plan by arguing that while the plan was feasible, it would compromise NORAD and thus the dam could be built at only an immense cost. Soviet scientist D. A. Drogaytsev also opposed the idea, stating that the sea north of the dam and north-flowing rivers in Siberia would become unnavigable year round, and the Gobi and other deserts would be extended to the northern Siberia coastline. American Charles P. Steinmetz (1865–1923) earlier proposed to widen

1050-568: The Soviet project called for a 90-kilometer-wide (56 mi) dam across the Bering Strait. It would block the cold Pacific current from entering the Arctic. By pumping low-salinity cold surface water across the dam to the Pacific, warmer and higher salinity sea water from the Atlantic Ocean would be introduced into the Arctic Ocean. However, citing national security concerns, the CIA and FBI experts opposed

1092-579: The border between the Soviet Union and the United States . The Diomede Islands — Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (US)—are only 3.8 km (2.4 mi) apart. Traditionally, the indigenous people in the area had frequently crossed the border back and forth for "routine visits, seasonal festivals and subsistence trade", but were prevented from doing so during the Cold War. The border became known as

1134-476: The city was 93.24% Native American (mainly Inupiat ), 5.34% White , and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population. Of the 142 households, 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who

1176-569: The crossing on Sea-Doos but were arrested and permitted to return to Alaska on their Sea-Doos after being briefly detained in Lavrentiya , the administrative center of the Chukotsky District . They were treated well and given a tour of the village's museum, but not permitted to continue south along the Pacific coast. The men had visas but the western coast of the Bering Strait is a closed military zone . Between August 4 and 10 (US time), 2013,

1218-440: The entire island chain, but it is exacerbated at Sarichef Island in part because of the hydrographic impacts of hard armoring of a sandy shoreface and permafrost degradation that is accelerated by infrastructure. Residents are experiencing the effects of coastal retreat on residential and commercial properties. Residents voted on town relocation several times, as early as 1975 and then in 2002 which approved it. On August 16, 2016,

1260-566: The international dateline); a four-man British expedition, Kayaks Across the Bering Strait ; and a team of Californians in a three-person baidarka , led by Jim Noyes (who launched his ambitious expedition as a paraplegic). Accompanying the Californians was a film crew in a umiak, a walrus-skin boat traditional to the region; they were filming the 1991 documentary Curtain of Ice , directed by John Armstrong. In March 2006, Briton Karl Bushby and French-American adventurer Dimitri Kieffer crossed

1302-461: The interruption of the first by bad weather. In February 2012, a Korean team led by Hong Sung-Taek crossed the straits on foot in six days. They started from Chukotka Peninsula, the east coast of Russia on February 23 and arrived in Wales, the western coastal town in Alaska on February 29. In July 2012, six adventurers associated with "Dangerous Waters", a reality adventure show under production, made

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1344-479: The most accepted one. Numerous successful crossings without the use of a boat have also been recorded since at least the early 20th century. The Bering Strait is about 82 kilometers (51 mi) wide at its narrowest point, between Cape Dezhnev , Chukchi Peninsula , Russia , the easternmost point (169° 39' W) of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales , Alaska , United States, the westernmost point (168° 05' W) of

1386-544: The shore even more vulnerable to erosion . In recent years the shore has been receding at an average rate of up to 10 feet (3.3 m) per year. Although a series of barricades has been put up to protect the village, the shore has continued to erode at an alarming rate. The Army Corps of Engineers has built a series of walls but none have been completely effective against waves. The town's homes, water system and infrastructure are being undermined. Currently, Shishmaref has obtained funds to construct seawalls that protect some of

1428-583: The shoreline. The village had plans to relocate several miles to the south, on the mainland to the Tin Creek site. However, Tin Creek proved unsuitable for long term settlement due to melting permafrost in the area. The Shishmaref Erosion and Relocation Coalition, made up of the city, the IRA Council and other organizations, is seeking federal, state and private funding for a move elsewhere. The cost of moving Shishmaref

1470-519: The strait by 1847. In March 1913, Captain Max Gottschalk (German) crossed from the east cape of Siberia to Shishmaref, Alaska , on dogsled via Little and Big Diomede islands. He was the first documented modern voyager to cross from Russia to North America without the use of a boat. In 1987, swimmer Lynne Cox swam a 4.3-kilometer (2.7 mi) course between the Diomede Islands from Alaska to

1512-415: The strait on foot, walking across a frozen 90-kilometer (56 mi) section in 15 days. They were soon arrested for not entering Russia through a regular port of entry. August 2008 marked the first crossing of the Bering Strait using an amphibious road-going vehicle. The specially modified Land Rover Defender 110 was driven by Steve Burgess and Dan Evans across the straits on its second attempt following

1554-484: The strait, even those with visas, may be arrested, imprisoned briefly, fined, deported and banned from future visas. Shishmaref, Alaska Shishmaref ( / ˈ ʃ ɪ ʃ m ə r ɛ f / SHISH -mə-ref ; Inupiaq : Qigiqtaq , IPA: [qixiqtaq] or Kigiqtaq ; Russian: Шишмарёв , IPA: [ʂɨʂmɐˈrʲɵf] ) is a city in the Nome Census Area , Alaska , United States . It

1596-449: The subject of the scientific theory that humans migrated from Asia to North America across a land bridge known as Beringia when lower ocean levels – a result of glaciers locking up vast amounts of water – exposed a wide stretch of the sea floor, both at the present strait and in the shallow sea north and south of it. This view of how Paleo-Indians entered America has been the dominant one for several decades and continues to be

1638-422: The village voted to move the town to the mainland. The town's residents prefer to think of the move to the mainland as an "expansion" rather than a "relocation", but although a site on the mainland called West Tin-Creek Hills was selected in 2016, there’s still a lot of planning and research to be done before that can be determined viable. Sometimes referred to as "the friendliest village in Alaska," Shishmaref

1680-454: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.96 and the average family size was 4.59. In the city, the population was spread out, with 40.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 12.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 125.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.3 males. The median income for

1722-416: Was a Strait of Anián between Asia and North America. In 1648, Semyon Dezhnyov probably passed through the strait, but his report did not reach Europe. Danish-born Russian navigator Vitus Bering entered it in 1728. In 1732, Mikhail Gvozdev crossed it for the first time, from Asia to America. It was visited in 1778 by the third voyage of James Cook . American vessels were hunting for bowhead whales in

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1764-569: Was assigned in 1821 to a nearby inlet by explorer Otto von Kotzebue of the Russian Imperial Marine, in honor of a member of his expedition, the commander Gleb S. Shishmaryov (Глеб Семёнович Шишмарёв). In the Iñupiaq language , Qigiqtaq (formally Ḳigiḳtaḳ ) means ‘island’. The water to the south of it is called Qigiqtam Imaġrua ‘waters of Qikiqtaq’, shown in the map of the area in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve . According to

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