Was ist Bitcoin Mining und Wie funktioniert es?

Can you please elaborate on Bitcoin mining and its underlying mechanism? I'm curious to know how it works and what role miners play in the Bitcoin network. Specifically, I'd like to understand the process of verifying transactions, securing the blockchain, and how miners are rewarded for their efforts. Additionally, I'm interested in knowing if mining requires specialized hardware and what factors determine the profitability of mining operations. Could you provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of Bitcoin mining?