Metallic behavior and related phenomena in two dimensions

For about 20 years, it has been the prevailing view that there can be no metallic state or metal-insulator transition in two dimensions in zero magnetic field. In the last several years, however, unusual behavior suggestive of such a transition has been reported in a variety of dilute two-dimensional electron and hole systems. The physics behind these observations is at present not understood. The authors review and discuss the main experimental findings and suggested theoretical models.