The first part of a comprehensive overview of fundamental optical properties of III-nitride semiconductors. All optoelectronic applications based on III-nitrides are due to their unique optical properties and characterizations of III-nitrides. Much information, which is critical to the design and improvement of optoelectronic devices based on III-nitrides has been obtained in the last several years. This is the first of a two part Volume in the series Optoelectronic Properties of Semiconductors and Superlattices.