plateau
Loading your saved state.
plateau
A large, relatively flat area that lies significantly above sea level or above the surrounding landscape. It is also referred to as a high plain.
Tibet ist die größte und höchstgelegene Hochebene der Welt.
Tibet is the largest and highest plateau in the world.
The word is a simple compound of 'hoch' (high) and 'die Ebene' (plain). So it literally describes a plain that lies high up.
Eine Ebene ist flach, eine Hochebene ist flach und gleichzeitig hoch gelegen.
A plain is flat; a plateau is flat and at the same time located high up.
To describe a place on a plateau, you use the preposition 'auf' (on). When describing movement across the surface, 'über' (over/across) is common.
Viele Tiere leben auf der weiten Hochebene.
Many animals live on the wide plateau.
As a geographical term, 'Hochebene' (plateau) is often combined with adjectives such as 'weit' (wide), 'karg' (barren), or 'hochgelegen' (high-lying). It is also part of proper names.
Die bolivianische Hochebene ist für ihre einzigartige Landschaft bekannt.
The Bolivian plateau is known for its unique landscape.
highlands
Both words describe a high-lying area. Hochland is the broader term and can also include mountainous or highly varied terrain, whereas a Hochebene also has a relatively flat, plateau-like surface. Use Hochebene only when this flatness is important.
Auf der Hochebene liegt trotz der großen Höhe eine weite, flache Landschaft.
Despite its great altitude, the plateau has a vast, flat landscape.
Im Hochland wechseln sich steile Berge und tiefe Täler ab.
In the highlands, steep mountains alternate with deep valleys.
