What is the difference between a flat bread and risen bread?

Flatbreads are made with unleavened dough, which means that it is not made with yeast or any other leavening agent. This gives flatbreads their characteristic flat shape, as they do not rise during baking. In contrast, risen breads are made with leavened dough which has been fermented with yeast, baking soda or baking powder. The yeast produces carbon dioxide gas, which gets trapped within the dough and expands the bubbles during fermentation, giving risen breads their characteristic height, shape and soft texture. Flatbreads are typically cooked on a griddle or in a frying pan, while risen breads are typically baked in an oven. Common examples of flatbreads include pita bread, naan, roti and tortilla, while common examples of risen breads include sandwich bread, hamburger buns and sourdough bread.