Illustrator provides the following type tools:

The Type tool (T) creates individual type and type containers and lets you enter and edit type.	The Area Type tool changes closed paths to type containers and lets you enter and edit type within them.	The Type On A Path tool changes paths to type paths, and lets you enter and edit type on them.	The Vertical Type tool creates vertical type and vertical type containers and lets you enter and edit vertical type.
The Vertical Area Type tool changes closed paths to vertical type containers and lets you enter and edit type within them.	The Vertical Type On A Path tool changes paths to vertical type paths and lets you enter and edit type on them