This article presents the maximal regularity approach to the primitive equations. It is proved that the 3 primitive equations on cylindrical domains admit a unique global strong solution for initial data lying in the critical solonoidal Besov space 2∕ for , ∈ (1, ∞) with 1∕ + 1∕ ≤ 1. This solution regularize instantaneously and becomes even real analytic for > 0. K E Y W O R D S global strong well-posedness, maximal regularity, primitive equations, regularity of solutions M S C ( 2 0 1 0 ) Primary: 35Q35; Secondary: 76D03, 47D06, 86A05 284