A synthesis of geophysical, geological, geochemical and paleontological studies of a passive continental margin. It is based essentially on DSDP Legs 14, 41, 47a, 50 and 79 and comprises evolution in the Mesozoic and in the Cenozoic and structures of coastal basins and adjacent margins. It also includes the results of deep seismic sounding, volcanological studies of the Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands, the reconstruction of paleoenvironments, paleo-oceanography in the Neogene and Quaternary along with a comparison of the margin with its adjoining formation: the northeast margin of North America.