This book is meant to be neither encyclopedic nor a sourcebook for the most recent observational data. In fact, I avoid altogether the presentation of data; after all the data change very quickly and are easily accessible from numerous available monographs as well as on the Intemet. Furthermore, I have intentionally restricted the discussion in this book to results that have a solid basis. I believe it is premature to present detailed mathematical consideration of controversial topics in a book on the foundations of cosmology and, therefore, such topics are covered only at a very elementary level.