What is a depression in geography?

In geography, a depression refers to a sunken or low place in the ground, which directly aligns with the definition provided in the correct answer. This term is used to describe areas of land that are lower in elevation than the surrounding terrain. Depressions can vary in size and depth and can include features such as basins, sinks, or low-lying areas.

Understanding this concept is fundamental, especially in physical geography, as it relates to landforms and how they affect the environment, hydrology, and ecology. For instance, depressions can influence patterns of water drainage and accumulation, contributing to the formation of lakes or wetlands, which play crucial roles in ecosystems.

The other choices describe different topographical features. A raised area of land refers to an elevation or hill, a flat area of land describes plains or plateaus, and a steep valley between two hills is commonly referred to as a gorge or ravine. These descriptions illustrate how varied landforms can be, but none encompass the essential definition of a depression.