Electric Properties in the Near Earth Region

The coupling through electric processes is one of the mechamisms of solar coupling influence on meteorology. Acritical review is given on the observations of electric currents and fields in the near Earth region and on the empirical and theoretical models based on the observations. Abrief picture of the electric properties is therefore outlined in the near Earth region both in average and solar active conditions. Highlight is in the lower and middle atmosphere near the surface of the Earth and especially on atmospheric electric properties and their modulation by solar activities.