The `CREATE TABLE` statement is a core part of SQL's Data Definition Language (DDL). It's used to define the structure of a new table within a database. This structure includes the names and data types of the columns that will hold the data. Think of it as laying the blueprint for how your data will be organized. You specify the columns, their names, and the type of data they will store (e.g., integers, text, dates). Crucially, you can also define constraints on the data, ensuring data integrity. For example, you can enforce that a column must contain a unique value or that a particular column cannot be left empty. This structured approach is essential for managing and querying data effectively in a relational database.