evidence: Hans Island is an island in the very center of the Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait in the High Arctic region, halfway between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. With the Danish establishing control over Greenland in 1815, Denmark was the first to have a significant presence in the High Arctic region. After the annexation of Alaska to the United States and the creation of Canada in 1867, British and American efforts to explore and chart the region ramped up. Following the British Arctic Territory transfer to Canada, its sovereignty shook the area. This strategic territory transfer, based on the areas claimed by explorer Martin Frobisher in the 16th century, the aim was to prevent American claims based on the Monroe Doctrine (to oppose more European colonialism in North America). [...] But what distinguishes this small island from the many others in the area? Well, Hans Island is peculiarly situated midway through the 35 km (21.7 mi) wide Nares Strait, which separates Nunavut, Canada, from Greenland. This poses a great interrogative since international law states that countries have control over territorial waters extending 22.2 km (12 mi) from their shores. So, Hans Island falls within both the Danish and Canadian 12-mile national waters, with both claiming the island as theirs.