What problem does Chainlink solve?

Could you please elaborate on the issue that Chainlink addresses? I'm particularly interested in understanding how it solves a pressing challenge within the realm of cryptocurrency and finance. Could you provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of its solution, highlighting its uniqueness and potential impact on the industry? I'm eager to gain a deeper understanding of how Chainlink fits into the larger ecosystem and how it's poised to revolutionize the way we approach data connectivity and smart contracts.