Erhebung

Erhebung is a German noun (die Erhebung) derived from the verb erheben, meaning to raise, lift, or collect. The term is used in several distinct but related senses and can refer to physical height, data gathering, or levying. In general, it denotes an act of increasing, lifting, or collecting something, as well as the result of that action.

In geography and topography, an Erhebung describes a raised area of the Earth's surface, such as a hill, ridge, or upland. The term can also be used more broadly for any elevated landform or for notable high ground within a region. In geoscience contexts the word may appear in descriptions of tectonic uplift or landform development, though more specialized terms are common in technical texts.

In the context of statistics and market research, a Datenerhebung or Erhebung refers to the process of data collection, surveying, or polling. It encompasses methods such as questionnaires, interviews, and measurements used to obtain information from a population or sample. The aim is to compile data sets for analysis and interpretation.

In public finance and administration, the noun can denote the act of levying or collecting taxes and fees. Steuererhebung or Abgaben-Erhebung describes the imposition or collection of fiscal charges by a government.

Translations of Erhebung vary with context and include survey, data collection, elevation, uplift, or levy. The word thus serves as a versatile term across geography, statistics, and finance, reflecting the core idea of rise, collection, or imposition.