Concept of Instance.

I am new to ABAQUS with a couple of other software experience in structural engineering. LUSAS, Midas, SAP2000, 

 The concept of " Assembly >> Instance " is not clear. It is ABAQUS only concept.

 

Can you explain me the concept of instance ?

  

What is this ?

Why is it needed ?

What is the relationship among, Instance, Part and Mesh,