Isthmus 141828 223747029 2008-07-05T16:13:25Z Verne Equinox 470788 corr. {{otheruses}} {{unreferenced|date=January 2008}} [[Image:Panama SRTM lrg.jpg|thumb|275px|The [[Isthmus of Panama]] connects North and South America.]] An '''isthmus''' ({{IPAEng|ˈɪsθməs, ˈɪstməs, ˈɪsməs}}, {{lang-el|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). Many [[canal]]s are built on isthmi where it is particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation. Of note is the [[Panama Canal]], which connects the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean]]s, and drastically reduces the naval travel time between the east and west coasts of [[Americas|America]]. == List of isthmuses == {{expand list}} * [[Auckland]] isthmus, which connects the [[North Auckland Peninsula|Northland Peninsula]] to the rest of New Zealand's [[North Island]]. * [[Seattle]], [[Washington]] which lies between [[Lake Washington]] and [[Puget Sound]]. * [[Isthmus of Avalon]], which connects the populous [[Avalon Peninsula]] to the rest of [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]]. * Isthmus of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], which connects the island of [[Miquelon]] and [[Langlade Island]] * [[Isthmus of Catalina Island|Catalina Isthmus]], which divides [[Santa Catalina Island, California]] into a large eastern portion and a smaller western portion. * [[Isthmus of Corinth]], which connects the [[Peloponnese]] peninsula to the rest of [[Greece]]. * Isthmus near [[Port Arthur, Tasmania]], [[Australia]] * [[Isthmus of Chignecto]], which connects the [[Nova Scotia]] peninsula to the rest of [[Canada]]. * Isthmus of [[Gibraltar]], which joins [[Gibraltar]] to mainland [[Spain]]. * Isthmus of [[Westfjords]] peninsula, wich connects to the mainland of [[Iceland]]. * [[Karelian Isthmus]] between [[Gulf of Finland]] and [[Lake Ladoga]], which connects [[Russia]] to [[Finland]]. * [[Isthmus of Kra]], which joins the [[Malay Peninsula]] with mainland Asia. * [[Kushimoto|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]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]. * [[Isthmus of Médanos]] - links Venezuela to [[Médanos]]. * Neck in [[Bruny Island]], [[Tasmania]] - connects North and South Bruny. * [[Ofqui Isthmus]], [[Aisén Region]], [[Chile]]. * [[Isthmus of Panama]] - connects [[North America]] and [[South America]]. The [[Panama canal]] goes through this isthmus. * [[Isthmus of Perekop]] between [[Crimea]] and [[Ukraine]] proper. * [[Isthmus of Potidea]], connecting the [[Kassandra, Chalkidiki|Kassandra]] peninsula with the mainland of [[Greece]]. * [[Quezon Province]], in [[Luzon, Philippines]] - connecting Bicol peninsula with mainland Luzon. * [[Adam'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. * [[Summerside, Prince Edward Island|Isthmus of Summerside]], connecting the Western section of [[Prince Edward Island]], Canada with the remainder of the island. * [[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]] - connects [[Yucatan]] and [[Central America]] with the rest of [[Mexico]]. * [[Isthmus of Nahant]] connecting Nahant, Massachusetts to Massachusetts. * Forth-Clyde isthmus in [[Scotland]] * Tyne-Solway Isthmus in Scotland, along the [[Stanegate]] in roman times main forts at [[Corbridge]] and [[Carlisle]] <!-- Add more to above list --> *Isthmus of Olympia, Washington, North America. Located at the base of Puget Sound, this isthmus connects West Olympia to East Olympia, and creates a separation between Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet, the southernmost point of Puget Sound. == See also == * [[Geography]] * [[Mainland]] * [[Tombolo]] * [[Peninsula]] * [[Land bridge]] [[Category:Isthmuses| ]] [[af:Landengte]] [[ar:برزخ (جغرافيا)]] [[ast:Istmu]] [[br:Strizh-douar]] [[ca:Istme]] [[cs:Pevninská šíje]] [[da:Tange]] [[de:Isthmus (Geographie)]] [[et:Maakitsus]] [[el:Ισθμός]] [[es:Istmo]] [[eo:Istmo]] [[eu:Istmo]] [[fr:Isthme]] [[gl:Istmo]] [[kk:Мойнақ]] [[ko:지협]] [[id:Tanah genting]] [[ia:Isthmo]] [[is:Eiði]] [[it:Istmo]] [[he:מצר יבשה]] [[ku:Berzax]] [[lmo:Istmo]] [[nl:Landengte]] [[ja:地峡]] [[no:Eid (landform)]] [[nn:Landforma eid]] [[pl:Przesmyk]] [[pt:Istmo]] [[ro:Istm]] [[ru:Перешеек]] [[simple:Isthmus]] [[fi:Kannas]] [[sv:Näs]] [[sr:Земљоуз]] [[tr:Kıstak]] [[uk:Перешийок]] [[zh:地峡]]