Аннотация:This book describes observational data concerning the regions in our Galaxy and other ones where star formation is going on - from young star clusters and associations to the spiral arms. The synthesis of these data is carried out. The author concludes that not only high-luminosity stars, but also star clusters and associations are forming together in vast complexes. These complexes are primary, fundamental entities of star formation. Contents: 1. Introduction: Star groupings and gaseous clouds. 2. The scale of distances. 3. The scale of ages. 4. Young stellar groupings in the Galaxy. 5. Clusters, associations, and complexes in irregular galaxies. 6. Young star groupings in M31 and M33. 7. The problem of spiral structure. 8. The structure of spiral arms in the Andromeda galaxy. 9. The spiral arms of the Galaxy. 10. The origin of clusters and associations. 11. The nature of star complexes. 12. Star complexes and spiral structure.