Strait of Anián

The Strait of Anián was a semi-mythical strait, documented from around 1560, that was believed by early modern cartographers to mark the boundary between North America and Asia and to permit access to a Northwest Passage from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific.

The strait probably took its name from Ania, a Chinese province mentioned in a 1559 edition of Marco Polo's book.

[4] Juan de Fuca, a Greek navigator, sailed in a Spanish expedition in 1592 to seek the fabled Strait of Anián.

"[6] The Strait of Anián can be seen in the map of Brobdingnag featured in Jonathan Swift's classic 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels.

The Strait of Anián is mentioned in the prologue of James Clavell's 1975 novel Shōgun as a possible destination for a sailing voyage undertaken by Francis Drake.

A 1610 map showing the Strait of Anián top right, at the approximate location of the Bering Strait
1687 map showing Baja California as an island, with a possible Strait of Anián top left extending east toward Hudson Bay
Atlas of João Teixeira Albernaz I , 1643, showing the North Pacific Ocean and the area reached by the navigator João da Gama , including islands João da Gama found (possibly the Kuril Islands ) or lands further northeast. The mythical or "recognized" Strait of Anián, separating Asia and the Americas, is also shown at top. Part of the known North American coast is possibly widely shifted to the northwest.
Map of Brobdingnag ; the Strait of Anián can be seen at centre right.