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An isthmus (English pronunciation: /ˈɪsθməs/ or /ˈɪsməs/; plural: isthmuses, isthmi, from Ancient Greek: ἰσθμός, isthmos, neck) is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.[1] Of note, the Isthmus of Corinth connects the peninsula of Peloponnese with the rest of the Greek peninsula, the Isthmus of Panama connects the continents of North and South America (the Americas), and the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt connects Africa and Asia (or Eurasia).
Canals are often built on isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation. The Panama Canal bisects the Isthmus of Panama, thereby connecting the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; the Suez Canal adjoins the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans, cutting across the Isthmus of Suez to connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Suez/Red Sea. Strait is the sea counterpart of isthmus.
[edit] List of isthmuses
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[edit] See also
