<P> The Strait has been the subject of the scientific hypothesis that humans migrated from Asia to North America across a land bridge known as Beringia when lower ocean levels--perhaps 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 the most accepted one . Numerous successful crossings without the use of a boat have also been recorded since at least the early 20th century . </P> <P> 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 the strait, even those with visas, may be arrested, imprisoned briefly, fined, deported and banned from future visas . </P> <P> The Bering Strait is about 82 kilometres (51 mi) wide at its narrowest point, between Cape Dezhnev, Chukchi Peninsula, Russia, the easternmost point (169 ° 43' W) of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, United States, the westernmost point (168 ° 05' W) of the North American continent . Its depth varies between 30 metres (98 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft). It borders with the Chukchi Sea (part of the Arctic Ocean) to north and with the Bering Sea to south . </P> <P> The International Date Line runs equidistant between the Strait's Diomede Islands at a distance of 1.5 km (1 mi), leaving the Russian and American sides usually on different calendar days, with Cape Dezhnev 21 hours ahead of the American side (20 hours during daylight saving time). </P>

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