Riemann integration is a method for calculating the area under a curve defined by a function on a specific interval. It involves dividing the area into small rectangles, calculating their areas, and then summing these areas. As the width of the rectangles approaches zero, the sum converges to a single value, which represents the integral of the function. This technique is named after the mathematician Bernhard Riemann, who formalized the concept in the 19th century. Riemann integration is foundational in calculus and is used to analyze functions, compute areas, and solve various problems in mathematics and physics.