A backlight unit includes a plurality of light sources emitting light in a direct direction with a predetermined orientation angle, and a light guide panel having a light incident section and a light emitting section. The light incident section has a first surface to receive light emitted from one or more of the light sources in the first direction and the light emitting section is to emit light received from the light incident section in a second direction. In addition, a height of an elevated structure, extending from an upper surface of the light incident section to an upper surface of the light emitting section, is greater than or substantially equal to a height of a distal end of the light emitting section.