Coastal Zone Typologies
An introduction to Coastal Zones
A coast is more than just a beach! The
coastal zone is the transitional area between land and
sea. It is defined as a strip of land and sea of varying
width depending on the nature of the environment and
management needs. It seldom corresponds to existing
administrative or planning units. The natural coastal
systems and the areas in which human activities involve
the use of coastal resources may therefore extend well
beyond the limit of territorial waters and many kilometres
inland. The worldwide average width of the coastal zone
on the terrestrial side is said to be 60 km. The zone
occupies less than 15% of the Earth's land surface,
yet it accommodates more than 60% of the world's population.
Furthermore, only 40% of the one million-km
of coastline is accessible and temperate enough to be
habitable. As a result, coastal zones are marked by
above-average concentrations of people and economic
activity.
A coast is more than just a beach!
- Coastal
zone typology: delta, small islands and
continental coasts
- Coastal
zone system: marine, coast and land
- - Characteristics
- - Resources and uses
- - Problems
- The
challenge of integrated management
- - 'Dynamic cycle'
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