The Bering Strait

I've always found it somewhat strange that America wasn't discovered way earlier than 1492 considering that Alaska and Russia are only separated by 53 miles.  Yup, the Bering Strait is a 53-mile stretch of water that separates a cape in Russia from a cape in Alaska and yet it took until 1492 for Christopher Columbus to "find" America after he stumbled upon it.  I understand that that part of Russia is sparsely populated and that it's freezing cold in that area of the world, but still, you would think someone would get curious enough to go exploring that area.  The world was and is full of people looking to make a name for themselves, so I just find it weird that it took so long to find America when there was only a few hours worth of sailing between the two continents.  Hell, there is even a small island in the middle of the Bering Strait, so if someone wanted to take a quick rest before discovering a history book worthy piece of real estate.  It's even stranger that it took so long to settle the West Coast when after the discovery of America was announced, no one from Asia decided they should see if they could find the other side of America faster than the Europeans.

"We could all be Russians right now."