The Bering Strait Crossing: A 21st Century Frontier between East and WestThe Bering Strait Crossing is the epic story of the Intercontinental Divide. The ancient waterway - when the fog clears over the Diomede Islands - is among the world’s most stunning vistas. This is where the 53-mile wide strait, named for Danish explorer Vitus Bering (1681-1741), separates four continents across the Europe-Asia landmass and the Americas. Extremes of climate, isolation, and geopolitical tension have all interfaced to create the perception of a frozen limbo at the edge of the world. Yet the Bering Strait is the world’s geographical crossroads - linking East with West - for nowhere else on the globe is it possible to cross the Pacific Rim between Asia and the Americas. In the modern era, various schemes have been proposed - rail, ferry, tunnel - by which to cross the strait. Since the end of the Cold War, a scheduled air service has been in place. The strait remains undefeated in terms of a terrestrial link between the USA and Russia - so far. The author uncovers a world-shaping revelation: that the Bering Strait has the potential to become a global shipping nexus via the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route between Europe, North America, and Asia. The self-induced amnesia of the long Cold War years is yielding to a fresh outlook between East and West across the strait. In a world thirsty for energy resources and trade, the prospect for US-Russian cooperation across the northern Pacific Rim is tantalising in its multiplicity - and vastness - with profound implications for the global economy. In this twenty first century, the Beringia corridors (N-S, E-W) have the potential to unite the world. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 46
... Northern Sea Route between Europe , North America , and Asia . In the early 21st century , the self - induced amnesia of the long Cold War years is yielding to a fresh outlook between East and West across the strait . In a world thirsty ...
... North America , and it is these passages that the cold , calculating eyes of vested interest eagerly watch . Why so ? A trade route along the Northwest Passage ( navigated by Roald Amundsen in 1903-06 ) slices about 4,000 thousand miles ...
... North America Map 5 ( left ). ROBINSON PROJECTION OF THE WORLD. THE BERING STRAIT CROSSING 21.
A 21st Century Frontier between East and West James Oliver. Asia Australia Antarctica North America Map 5 ( left ) . The globe's crossroads between North America - Asia and the Pacific - Arctic . The potential for the northern sea routes ...
... North America . - - In a later epoch , this was the domain of fur trappers , who opened up of the region . The huge wealth generated by the fur trade led , not only to the opening - up of Siberia , but by extension - the settlement of ...
Contents
11 | |
19 | |
31 | |
40 | |
A Footnote to Gvozdev | 55 |
Captain Cooks Third Voyage | 61 |
Beyond the Two Islands Return to the Sandwich Islands | 73 |
W H Seward has his Way | 89 |
Other editions - View all
The Bering Strait Crossing: A 21st Century Frontier between East and West James A. Oliver Limited preview - 2006 |