It links the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea, which generates considerable flows in people and goods, and makes it one of the main exchange zones in Europe.
The western part of the area in both France and Great Britain (Brittany, Lower Normandy and Cornwall) has a more rural economy relying on agriculture and tourism.
20th March 2003: Common declaration, signed by the 5 French Regions bordering the Channel and 5 Southern England local authorities.
2005: Creation of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly: Alain Le Vern, President of the Haute-Normandie Region, is elected chairman and Brad Watson, councillor of West Sussex County Council becomes vice-chairman.
June 2008: Publication of the book "Channel Spaces, a world within Europe", edited by Pascal Buléon and Louis Shurmer-Smith.
December 2008: Conference of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly in Folkestone, with discussion about coastal zones' adjustment to climate change.
Associate members are all other organisations located on this territory and willing to contribute to the achievement of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly's objectives.
An annual meeting takes place during the first week of July for the exchange of good practices and to identify potential areas of co-operation.
The executive committee consists of all the full members and takes the decisions necessary to achieve the objectives of the Channel Arc Manche Assembly.
The Secretariat deals with day-to-day running, the preparation and the follow-up of work in the executive committee and the annual conference, as well as administering the website.