  In the last decade, over 7000 eclipsing binaries have been discovered in the
Local Group through various variability surveys. Measuring fundamental
parameters of these eclipsing binaries has become feasible with 8 meter class
telescopes, making it possible to use eclipsing binaries as distance
indicators. Distances with eclipsing binaries provide an independent method for
calibrating the extragalactic distance scale and thus determining the Hubble
constant. This method has been used for determining distances to eclipsing
binaries in the Magellanic Clouds and the Andromeda Galaxy and most recently to
a detached eclipsing binary in the Triangulum Galaxy by the DIRECT Project. The
increasing number of eclipsing binaries found by microlensing and variability
surveys also provide a rich database for advancing our understanding of star
formation and evolution.
