Introduction

The International Péri-Tethys Programme carries on its works in close relationship with the IGCP project No. 343 "Stratigraphie corrélation of Peri-Tethyan epicratonic basins" (1993-1996). The results obtained on the late Carboniferous-Early Permian are particularly outstanding pièces of work. This volume is a synthesis of thèse data coordinated by Alain Izart (Université de Nancy) et Denis Vaslet (BRGM, Orléans) [editor's note: with Sylvie Crasquin-Soleau and Patrick De Wever] . It compiles the most récent discoveries with data previously established and introduce stratigraphie corrélations between Peri-Tethyan Northern platform [western European basins (France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands), eastern European basins (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic), CIS (Russia, Ukraine, Kazahkstan), Turkey], Tethys domain (Spain, Italy, Austria, Iran) et Peri-Tethyan Southern platform [North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), Middle east (Egypt, Syria), Arabia (Saudi Arabia, Oman) and Pakistan].