Isthmus andland bridge are related terms, with isthmus having a broader meaning. Aland bridge is an isthmus connecting Earth's major land masses. The termland bridge is usually used inbiogeology to describe land connections that used to exist between continents at various times and were important for the migration of people and various species of animals and plants, such asBeringia andDoggerland.[4]
An isthmus is a land connection between two bigger landmasses, while apeninsula is rather a land protrusion that is connected to a bigger landmass on one side only and surrounded by water on all other sides. Technically, an isthmus can havecanals running from coast to coast (e.g., thePanama Canal), and thus resemble two peninsulas; however, canals are artificial features, as distinguished from naturally occurringstraits.[5]
