Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal (Greek: Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου, romanized: Dioryga tis Korinthou) is an artificial canal in Greece that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the Isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) in length and only 24.6 metres (80.7 feet) wide at sea level, making it impassable for many modern ships. It is currently of little economic importance and is mainly a tourist attraction.
| Corinth Canal | |
|---|---|
| Location | Greece |
| Coordinates | 37°56′05″N 22°59′02″E |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 6.4 km (4.0 miles) |
| Maximum boat beam | 22.5 m (74 ft) |
| Maximum boat draft | 7.3 m (24 ft) |
| Locks | 0 |
| Status | Open (reopened in June 1, 2023 after being closed since January 2021) |
| History | |
| Principal engineer | István Türr and Béla Gerster |
| Construction began | 1881 |
| Date of first use | 25 July 1893 |
The canal was initially proposed in classical times and a failed effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD. Construction recommenced in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893, but, due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems, and periodic closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators.