Basic properties of the plasma edge in magnetically confined fusion plasmas are summarized. Starting from the magnetic topology of tokamaks we describe the transport of the scrape-off layer including drifts, the transition to high recycling and detached plasma regimes typical for divertors and the consequences of the electrostatic Debye sheath in front of the plasma facing components. The transport of the fuel neutrals (hydrogen atoms and molecules) is described and the concept of power exhaust from line radiation of impurities at the plasma edge is introduced.