The original Russian edition of the monograph Paleozoic salt forma- tions ofthe world was published by Nedra, Moscow, in 1974. The description of salt basins was given as of 1970-1971 and based on the literature available at that time. Additional evidence was pre- sented in History of Paleozoic salt accumulation (Nauka, Novosibirsk 1978), with abrief account of new basins of Paleozoic salt accumula- tion. These two books complement each other and have one common list of references, the former providing the material which in the latter is the basis for the major trends in the history of evaporite sedimenta- tion in the Paleozoic. History ofPaleozoic salt accumulation was the first ofthe two books to be published in English (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 1981). The present book is the first synthesis dealing with specific Paleozoic salt formations and some salt basins. However, since the first edition was published 10 years ago, new data since then allow more accurate and detailed description of composition, structure, and dis- tribution patterns of salt deposits within Paleozoic evaporite basins. New basins have also been found in some regions of the Earth. The author has attempted to give more complete characterization of Paleo- zoic salt basins using the data available as of 1981.