  Cloud environment is thought to play a critical role in determining the
mechanism of formation of massive stars. In this contribution we review the
physical characteristics of the environment around recently formed massive
stars. Particular emphasis is given to recent high angular resolution
observations which have improved our knowledge of the physical conditions and
kinematics of compact regions of ionized gas and of dense and hot molecular
cores associated with luminous O and B stars. We will show that this large body
of data, gathered during the last decade, has allowed significant progress in
the understanding of the physical processes that take place during the
formation and early evolution of massive stars.
