Characteristic examples of evaporite basins, mostly of moderate size, are discussed in terms of type (playas, continental sabkhas, barred basins), deposits, fossils, relics and pseudomorphs of gypsum found, and complex of diagenesis, e.g. in the Red Sea Miocene where reef complexes predate the deposition of massive evaporites. Two models, the sabkha model and the deep desiccation basin model, are both employed to explain the formation of evaporite basins. In many cases both models must be combined as many evaporites were formed in subaqueous environments.