Corinth, Isthmus of

Corinth, Isthmus of, c.20 mi (32 km) long and 4–8 mi (6.4–12.9 km) wide, connecting central Greece (Attica and Boeotia) with the Peloponnesus, between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. It is crossed by the Corinth Canal, built between 1881 and 1893, which connects the Aegean and the Adriatic seas. Parallel to the canal are ruins of the ancient Isthmian Wall, which was restored (3d–6th cent. A.D.) by Byzantine emperors to defend the Peloponnesus. Near the eastern end of the wall are ruins of the sanctuary of Poseidon where the Isthmian games were played.

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Corinth, Isthmus of 

an isthmus joining the Peloponne-sian Peninsula with the regions of central Greece, between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. It is 42 km long, and varies in width from 6.3 to 16 km. The greater part of the isthmus is taken up by the limestone ridge of Geraneia. The land is primarily semidesert. A railroad and highway that link Athens and Corinth run along the isthmus. The Corinth Canal cuts across it.