It has been called the bridge of the sea because on the east side is the Saronic Gulf, which opens to the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, and on the west side is the Gulf of Corinth, which leads to the Ionian Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the western Mediterranean.
Seda kutsutakse meresillaks, sest ida poole jääb Saroni laht, mis on juurdepääsuks Egeuse merele ning Vahemere idaossa, lääne poole aga jääb Korintose laht, kust pääseb Joonia merele, Aadria merele ja Vahemere lääneossa.