Stokes' theorem is a fundamental result in vector calculus that relates a surface integral over a surface to a line integral around its boundary. Specifically, it states that the integral of a vector field's curl over a surface is equal to the integral of the vector field along the boundary curve of that surface. This theorem connects the concepts of circulation and flux in a powerful way. The theorem is named after the mathematician George Gabriel Stokes, who contributed significantly to the field of mathematics and physics. Stokes' theorem is widely used in various applications, including fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and differential geometry, providing a bridge between local and global properties of vector fields.