Russia USSR stamp year 1957 Vitus Bering, navigator explorer

Russia USSR stamp year 1957 Vitus Bering, navigator explorer MNH set

Vitus Bering (1681–1741) was a Danish-born navigator and explorer who served in the Russian navy. He is best known for his expeditions that explored the northern Pacific Ocean and established the geographic connections between Asia and North America. Bering’s explorations laid the groundwork for Russian expansion into Alaska and the North Pacific.

Key Facts About Vitus Bering:

1. Early Life:
   • Born on August 5, 1681, in Horsens, Denmark.
   • Joined the Russian Navy in 1704 and gained recognition for his skills as a navigator.
2. The Great Northern Expeditions:
   • First Kamchatka Expedition (1725–1730):
     • Commissioned by Peter the Great.
     • Explored eastern Siberia and the waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula.
     • Confirmed that Asia and North America were separated by a strait (later named the Bering Strait).
   • Second Kamchatka Expedition (1733–1743):
     • One of the largest and most ambitious scientific expeditions of the 18th century.
     • Mapped parts of Siberia, the Arctic, and the North Pacific.
     • Reached the western coast of Alaska in 1741, proving the proximity of Asia and North America.
3. Bering’s Death:
   • After returning from Alaska, Bering’s ship was wrecked on Bering Island in the Commander Islands.
   • He died there on December 19, 1741, likely from scurvy and exposure.
4. Legacy:
   • Several geographical features are named after him:
     • Bering Sea
     • Bering Strait
     • Bering Island
   • His voyages were instrumental in the mapping of the North Pacific and in establishing Russia’s presence in Alaska.
5. Significance:
   • Bering’s expeditions combined exploration with scientific research, collecting data on geography, flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures.
   • His work bridged European knowledge of the Old and New Worlds, contributing to global exploration.