What Borders Alaska? Canada, Russia, and Three Seas

Alaska's Unique Geographic Position

Alaska, the northwesternmost U.S. state, shares borders with:

• Canada (East): Yukon Territory and British Columbia—1,538 mi (2,475 km) land border.
• Arctic Ocean (North): Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea—coastline along the polar basin.
• Bering Sea (West): Marginal sea of the Pacific; separates Alaska from Russia's Chukotka.
• Pacific Ocean (South/Southwest): Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands chain stretching toward Asia.

Maritime Boundary with Russia

The U.S.–Russia maritime boundary runs through the Bering Sea and Bering Strait (Little Diomede [US] / Big Diomede [Russia] = 3.8 km apart). Established 1867 (Alaska Purchase) and 1990 treaty.

Strategic Significance

Arctic access, fisheries, oil/gas, shipping lanes (Northern Sea Route, Northwest Passage), military presence (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Clear Space Force Station).

Alaska is the only U.S. state in both hemispheres (Aleutians cross 180° meridian) and the only one bordering two oceans and a foreign nation (Canada) plus a maritime neighbor (Russia).