From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas. Russian colonial possessions in the Americas were collectively known as Russian America from 179
The Bering Strait, where Russia's east coast lies closest to Alaska's west coast. Early Russian colonization occurred well south of the strait, in the Aleutian Islands.
Sibero-Russian promyshlenniki (hunter-trapper frontiersmen)
Flag of the Russian-American Company (1806–1881).
Tlingit Chieftain of Sitka