  First, we show how the quantum circuits for generating and measuring
multi-party entanglement of qubits can be translated to continuous quantum
variables. We derive sufficient inseparability criteria for $N$-party
continuous-variable states and discuss their applicability. Then, we consider a
family of multipartite entangled states (multi-party multi-mode states with one
mode per party) described by continuous quantum variables and analyze their
properties. These states can be efficiently generated using squeezed light and
linear optics.
