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Glite Dictionary
Isthmus of Tehuantepec

Isthmus of Tehuantepec

8.8
A narrow strip of land in southern Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean
  • proper noun
translation icon : Istmo de Tehuantepec
  • The Isthmus of Tehuantepec serves as a critical link between the Bay of Campeche and the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Examples

  • The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is considered a vital corridor for trade and transportation within Mexico.

  • The climate along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is influenced by its proximity to both the Gulf and the Pacific.

  • Several important oil pipelines cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to link the Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific Ocean.

  • The Isthmus of Tehuantepec connects two major bodies of water.

  • Many trade routes pass through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

  • Geographers often study the Isthmus of Tehuantepec due to its significant role in the geography of southern Mexico.

  • The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is known for its unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Surface Forms

Isthmus of Tehuantepec main

Morphology

isthmus + of + Tehuantepec

The noun 'isthmus' means a narrow land bridge and the genitive construction 'of Tehuantepec' simply locates that landform; a B1 learner who knows 'isthmus' and recognizes Tehuantepec as a place name can infer it denotes the isthmus at Tehuantepec. This composition is fully literal and matches common cross-linguistic place-name patterns, so the meaning is transparently derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Isthmus of Tehuantepec is a name that describes the place: isthmus means a narrow strip of land that 'connects two larger lands' and lies 'between two bodies of water', and Tehuantepec is the name of the nearby town and region. So the name points to that narrow part of southern Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.