  Properties of nearby dwarf galaxies are briefly discussed. Dwarf galaxies
vary widely in their star formation histories, the ages of their
subpopulations, and in their enrichment history. Furthermore, many dwarf
galaxies show evidence for spatial variations in their star formation history;
often in the form of very extended old populations and radial gradients in age
and metallicity. Determining factors in dwarf galaxy evolution appear to be
both galaxy mass and environment. We may be observing continuous evolution from
low-mass dwarf irregulars via transition types to dwarf spheroidals, whereas
other evolutionary transitions seem less likely.
