Uelen

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Coordinates: 66°09′34″N, 169°48′33″W

Map showing the location of Uelen and the Chukchi Sea
Map showing the location of Uelen and the Chukchi Sea
Uelen. Winter-1934
Uelen. Winter-1934

Uelen (Russian: Уэ́лен) is a village (selo) located just below the Arctic Circle in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in the Russian Far East. It is near the point where the Bering Sea meets the Chukchi Sea, at the easternmost point on the Asian continent. Uelen is also significant for being the closest substantial Russian settlement to the United States.

Uelen has a population of about 500 (2002).[citation needed]

The village, famous for its walrus ivory carvings, also serves as a base for archaeological expeditions to the area, which have uncovered a burial ground containing more than 300 burials of Early Whale Hunter cultures, covering a time span from 500 BCE to 1000 CE.

Uelen is where Dimitri Kieffer and Karl Bushby, entered Russia during their Goliath expedition after crossing the Bering Strait. The two were then arrested for visa violations.

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