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Isthmus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An isthmus (IPA: /ˈɪsθməs, ˈɪstməs, ˈɪsməs/, Greek: ἰσθμός, isthmos, Katharevousa and Ancient Greek: ἰσθμός, plural isthmuses or isthmi) is a narrow strip of land that is bordered on two sides by water and connects two larger land masses. It is the inverse of a strait (which lies between two land masses and connects two larger bodies of water).
Isthmuses are a naturally good place to build canals. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, drastically reduces the naval travel time between the east and west coasts of the Americas. The Suez Canal is another example - it allows ship transportation between Europe and Asia without the circumnavigation of Africa.
- Auckland Isthmus, in Auckland, New Zealand
- Isthmus of Avalon in Canada - separates the main island of Newfoundland from the Avalon Peninsula (where the capital, St. John's, is located)
- Isthmus of Chignecto - connects the mainland portion of Nova Scotia with New Brunswick and the rest of Canada
- Isthmus of Corinth in Greece - the first isthmus to bear that name
- Isthmus of Dubrovnik - today's Stradun, (main center street), which connected Laus and Dub into a single city unit
- Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania - which connects the Forestier Peninsula and Tasman Peninsula
- Isthumus of East Falklands (Goose Green)
- Karelian Isthmus between Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga
- Isthmus of Kra, which joins the Malay Peninsula with mainland Asia
- Isthmus of Kushimoto in Japan - connects Honshū with Cape Shiono-Misaki
- La Coupée isthmus in Sark
- Madison Isthmus, between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin
- Mavis Grind isthmus in Shetland, UK
- Isthmus of Médanos - connects Venezuela to Médanos
- Neck in Bruny Island, Tasmania - connects North and South Bruny
- Ofqui Isthmus, Aysen Region, Chile
- Isthmus of Panama - arguably the most famous isthmus, connects North America and South America.
- Isthmus of Perekop between Crimea and Ukraine proper
- Quezon Province, in Luzon, Philippines - connecting Bicol peninsula with mainland Luzon
- Rama's Bridge, between India and Sri Lanka (a former Isthmus)
- Isthmus of Suez - the isthmus between North Africa and Southwest Asia, in Egypt where the Suez Canal is located
- Isthmus of Tehuantepec - connects Yucatan and Central America with the rest of Mexico