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