A liquid crystal display apparatus comprises first and second light emitting sections for emitting light with respective spreading angles that are different from each other and a liquid crystal display device arranged at the viewing side of the apparatus. The first light emitting section includes a first light guide plate for receiving light from a light incident end surface and diffusing it within a first angular range of spreading angle centered at the normal direction of a light emitting surface before emitting it from the light emitting surface and first light emitting elements. The second light emitting section includes a second light guide plate for receiving light from a light incident end surface and emitting it in directions within a second angular range of spreading angle smaller than the first angular range while transmitting light emitted from the first light guide plate and second light emitting elements.