An LED illumination apparatus according to the present invention includes
at least one connector and a lighting drive circuit. The connector is
connected to an insertable and removable card-type LED illumination
source, which includes multiple LEDs that have been mounted on one
surface of a substrate. The lighting drive circuit is electrically
connected to the card-type LED illumination source by way of the
connector. The card-type LED illumination source preferably includes a
metal base substrate and the multiple LEDs that have been mounted on one
surface of the metal base substrate. The back surface of the metal base
substrate, including no LEDs thereon, thermally contacts with a portion
of the illumination apparatus. A feeder terminal to be electrically
connected to the connector is provided on the surface of the metal base
substrate on which the LEDs are provided.