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In this talk some basic features of extreme and near extreme anti-de Sitter (AdS) <br /> geometries will be reviewed, emphasizing the perturbative dynamics in such backgrounds. <br /> We will introduce asymptotically AdS black holes, pointing out those which have an <br /> extreme limit. Physical and geometrical interpretations will be presented. The approach <br /> to the extreme limit, the so-called near extreme case, will also be commented. Finally, a <br /> review of the recent literature concerning perturbations on these geometries will be <br /> made. Possible open issues will be discussed.