The others have very little economic activity at all. Coastal areas are defined as those situated on the strip of land around the coasts of the EU, which is of variable width depending on geographical features and administrative boundaries. Many of the areas are densely populated with a high level of tourist activity, generating significant income but also substantial environmental pressure, the reconciliation of which poses a serious challenge. Other areas, however, are scarcely populated at all. In the case of the smaller islands, accessibility is the main problem which makes it difficult to maintain economic activities which are competitive and a young work force with a high level of education.
Accessibility is an even greater problem for ultra-peripheral regions.
The largest islands are much better integrated into the rest of the EU economy, even if many are at present reliant on structural support to catch up with other parts of the Union. The areas identified above have marked differences in terms of their economic and social characteristics. Regional policies for furthering their development should continue to be aimed at strengthening relations between different parts of the Union rather than take the form of isolated measures specific to individual types of area. Nevertheless, such policies should include cooperation programmes between areas of the same type, which are tailored to their particular geographical features and which can bring additional benefit.