GREECE

GREECE / ЕΛΛΑΣ.

Corinth Canal (Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου).
Stamp issued on 01.04.1927.
Face value: 5 lepta.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 304.
- StampWorld No. 283.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 348.

The Corinth Canal is a sea lane that connects the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea. Designed by Ferdinand de Lesseps, it was built between 1881 and 1893 under the direction of the Hungarian engineer István Türr. It was inaugurated on November 9, 1893. It is 6,343 km (4 mi) long, 21.4 m (70 ft) wide, and 8 m (25 ft) deep. It is dug at sea level, so it does not require locks. It is limited by the fact that, due to its width, they can only traverse relatively small ships, and not large modern cargo ships, which is why, at present, they mainly sail tourist ships. The idea of opening a canal on the Isthmus of Corinth comes from ancient times: as early as the 7th century BC. the tyrant Periandro thought of executing a similar work but failed due to technical difficulties, insurmountable at that time.