Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language that is known for its simplicity and readability. It was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. It has a large standard library and a vast ecosystem of third-party libraries, making it suitable for a wide range of applications such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and more. Python's syntax emphasizes code readability and its use of indentation for block structure, making it easy to learn and understand for beginners.