Synchrotrons are modern, intense sources of continuous electromagnetic radiation emitted in the wide range of energy. This emitting range runs through the infrared, by the visible and vacuum ultraviolet up to soft and hard x-ray radiation. The radiation is emitted by the charged particles with trajectories curved in the magnetic field. Almost 99% of particle energy is transferred to the emitting radiation, therefore the process is very effective as compare with x-ray tube. The description of the construction and operation of third generation facilities and short overview of their locations will be given. The idea of insertion devices will be discussed and introduction to the X-ray optics and synchrotron radiation detectors will be provided. Next the properties of the synchrotron radiation in comparison with other sources of radiation will be presented. A few examples of beamline construction and advantages of use of synchrotron radiation in natural science will be shown.