A spread illuminating apparatus includes a plurality (m×n pieces) of lighting units (P11 to Pmn) which are disposed in a matrix with m rows and n columns, and each of which is an edge light type principally including a light conductor plate and at least one LED disposed at one side of the light conductor plate, and the entire luminous region of the spread illuminating apparatus is divided into segment areas constituted respectively by the lighting units (P11 to Pmn) which can be turned on and off in a controlled manner independently of one another.