Local high-mass star-forming regions

The study of the stellar content and physics of the ionized gas in local hi gh-mass star-forming regions is specially important fur better understandin g extragalactic starbursts. Recent observations from space telescopes and n ear-infrared detectors have provided a wealth of new information about the gas and stars in these objects. In this paper. I review some relevant obser vational results related to: a) the stellar content in high and low-mass st ars of the ionizing clusters; b) the interplay between the gas and stars; c ) the role of ionization fronts; d) the chemical composition of the ionized gas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.