Resource: Vitus Bering

Description

The man who gave his name to the narrow strait between Asia and North America was actually Danish, although he sailed for the Russian Navy. Russia had largely ignored the East, concentrating instead on Europe and thus in the 18th century little was known about north-eastern Asia in Russia and Europe. Vitus Bering was one of the explorers sent out by Tsar Peter the Great and today Bering’s name has been given to several features in Eastern Asia. His life and contributions are discussed in this resource.