This collection of articles forms a cohesive text on the rapidly evolving field of nonlinear dynamics of continous systems. It addresses researchers but it can also be used as a text for graduate work. The authors demonstrate through numerous examples the use of common tools of mathematical analyses and dynamical interpretations for the study of nonlinear phenomena. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving field, the contributors treat the essence of what is known about the formation of spontaneous structures in dissipative continuous systems and about the competition between order and chaos that characterizes those systems. The topics discussed in this volume range from mathematical foundations to interpretations of concrete phenomena in fluids, chemical reactions, structure forming processes in semiconductors and even biological organisms.