Numerous artificial channels, called canals, have been constructed to connect two oceans or seas over land, such as the Suez Canal. Although rivers and canals often provide passage between two large lakes, and these seem to suit the formal definition of strait, they are not usually referred to as such. Rivers and often canals, generally have a directional flow tied to changes in elevation, whereas straits often are free flowing in either direction or switch direction, maintaining the same elevation. The term strait is typically reserved for much larger, wider features of the marine environment. There are exceptions, with straits being called canals; Pearse Canal, for example.
numerous artificial channels called canals have been constructed to connect two oceans or seas over land such as the suez canal although rivers and canals often provide passage between two large lakes and these seem to suit the formal definition of strait they are not usually referred to as such rivers and often canals generally have a directional flow tied to changes in elevation whereas straits often are free flowing in either direction or switch direction maintaining the same elevation the term strait is typically reserved for much larger wider features of the marine environment there are exceptions with straits being called canals; pearse canal for example