Topological defects and gravity in theories with extra dimensions

Various solutions to higher-dimensional Einstein equations coupled to a series of physically different sources are considered and their properties of localization of gravity discussed. A numerical example of a solution to the Einstein equations coupled to a set of scalar and gauge fields is given: a 3-brane realized as a 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole residing in a 7-dimensional space-time. Finally we describe a model which resembles the Randall-Sundrum II model with respect to its properties of gravity localization but with the advantage that the underlying space-time manifold is geodesically complete.