The natural divide between North America and South America is known as the Isthmus of Panama. This narrow strip of land connects the two continents and is significant for facilitating trade and transportation. The Panama Canal, which cuts through the isthmus, allows ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without having to navigate around South America, thereby revolutionizing maritime trade. The isthmus also features diverse ecosystems and has been a focus of ecological and biological studies.