Vitus Jonassen Bering was born on 5th August 1681 in Denmark and he died on 19th December 1741 (aged 60 years) in Bering Island, Russia. Vitus was the leader of two Russian expeditions exploring the North-eastern coast of Asia and the Western coast of North America to map new areas. He undertook the second trip and sailed to North America. They discovered the Kodiak Island. The record of the wildlife and several plant species they encountered were recorded in detail. Vitus died on this expedition possibly due to scurvy.
Do you know: Bering Strait, Bering Sea, Bering Island, Bering Glacier and the Bering Land Bridge were all named after him in his honour.
