Question

Isthmus of Panama connects which of the following continents?
A) Asia and Africa
B) Asia and Europe
C) North America and South America
D) North America and Europe

Answer 1

Hint: The Isthmus of Panama is also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien. It is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal and is a location of great strategic value.

Complete answer:
The isthmus is thought to have been formed around 2.8 million years ago, which separated the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and caused the creation of the Gulf Stream.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Asia and Africa: The given option is incorrect as the Isthmus of Panama connects North America and South America and separates the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean), but not connects Asia and Africa. Hence, the given option is wrong.

Option B) Asia and Europe: The given option is incorrect as the Isthmus of Panama connects North America and South America and separates the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean), but not connects Asia and Europe. Hence, the given option is wrong.

Option C) North America and South America: The given option is correct as Isthmus of Panama connects North America and South America and separates the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean). This land extends east-west about 400 miles (640 km) from the border of Costa Rica to the border of Colombia. Hence, the given option is the correct answer.

Option D) North America and Europe: The given option is incorrect as the Isthmus of Panama connects North America and South America and separates the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean). Even though it connects North America, it does not connect Europe. Hence, the given option is wrong.

Therefore the correct answer is ‘C’.

Additinal information:
An isthmus has three defining characteristics which are:
- it's a narrow strip of land,
- It links two larger landmasses and
- It separates two bodies of water.

Note: The features of Isthmus of Panama are:
- They are natural sites for ports and canals connecting terrestrial and aquatic trade routes.
- They are also main sites for communications and cultural exchange, as well as military outposts.
- By altering the flow of water between the two oceans, the Isthmus of Panama contributed to the formation of the Gulf Stream, which covers much of the Atlantic and its warm waters affect weather and precipitation.
- The formation of the Isthmus of Panama also played an important role in biodiversity on the planet.
- The bridge made it easier for animals and plants to migrate one continent to another. This event is known as the Great American Interchange.