Alaska's cities
Diomede, Alaska
Bering Strait village clings to remote island
Alaska.com
Diomede is on the west coast of Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait, 135 miles northwest of Nome. It is only 2.5 miles from Big Diomede Island, Russia.
Diomede is a traditional Ingalikmiut Eskimo village. Diomede villagers (population about 145) depend almost entirely upon subsistence resources, including fish, crab, walrus, seal, beluga whales and polar bears. Mainland Natives come to hunt polar bears. Villagers make clothing, such as parkas, hats and mukluks, from seal and walrus hides.
Many of the Diomede people are excellent ivory carvers. Skin boats are still a popular method of making the 28-mile trip to Wales. There is no airstrip because of the steep slopes and rocky terrain. Ski planes land on an ice strip in winter. Few floatplane pilots attempt to land on the open sea during summer.
A state heliport allows for weekly mail delivery. Cargo barges stop irregularly due to sea and ice conditions. The village water, stored in a tank for the winter, typically runs out around March. Diomede then closes the washeteria, and residents melt snow and ice for drinking water.
No alcohol is permitted in the village. The town levies a 3 percent sales tax.
History
Early Eskimos on Big and Little Diomede islands were fearless on the ice and sea, and developed an advanced culture with elaborate whale hunting ceremonies. They traded with people on both Asia and North America.
The islands were named in 1728 by Vitus Bering in honor of Saint Diomede. During the Cold War, Big Diomede became a Soviet military base, and all Native residents were moved to mainland Russia. During World War II, Little Diomede residents who strayed into Soviet waters were taken captive.
Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
More on this topic
 Adak, Alaska
Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska
Anchor Point, Alaska
Anderson, Alaska
Angoon, Alaska
Barrow, Alaska
Bethel, Alaska
Big Lake, Alaska
Cantwell, Alaska
Central, Alaska
Chitina, Alaska
Circle, Alaska
Coldfoot, Alaska
Cooper Landing, Alaska
Copper Center, Alaska
Cordova, Alaska
Craig, Alaska
Delta Junction, Alaska
Dillingham, Alaska
Eklutna, Alaska
Eagle River, Alaska
Elfin Cove, Alaska
Ester, Alaska
Fort Yukon, Alaska
Fox, Alaska
Gakona, Alaska
Galena, Alaska
Girdwood, Alaska
Glennallen, Alaska
Gulkana, Alaska
Gustavus / Glacier Bay, Alaska
Haines, Alaska
Halibut Cove, Alaska
Healy, Alaska
Hollis, Alaska
Homer, Alaska
Hoonah, Alaska
Hope, Alaska
Houston, Alaska
Hyder, Alaska
Kake, Alaska
Kasilof, Alaska
Kenai, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
King Salmon, Alaska
Knik, Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska
Kotzebue, Alaska
Livengood, Alaska
Manley Hot Springs, Alaska
McGrath, Alaska
McKinley Park, Alaska
Mentasta Lake, Alaska
Metlakatla, Alaska
Moose Pass, Alaska
Nenana, Alaska
Nikiski, Alaska
Ninilchik, Alaska
Nome, Alaska
North Pole, Alaska
Northway, Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
Paxson, Alaska
Pelican, Alaska
Petersburg, Alaska
Petersville, Alaska
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Seldovia, Alaska
Seward, Alaska
Sitka, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska
Soldotna, Alaska
St. George, Alaska
Sterling, Alaska
Talkeetna, Alaska
Tok, Alaska
Trapper Creek, Alaska
Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Valdez, Alaska
Wasilla, Alaska
Whittier, Alaska
Willow, Alaska
Wrangell, Alaska
Yakutat, Alaska
Page 1
|
