Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language created by Guido van Rossum in 1991. Known for its simplicity and readability, Python emphasizes code readability with its clear and straightforward syntax. It supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented, procedural, and functional programming. Python is widely used in web development, data science, automation, artificial intelligence, and more, making it one of the most versatile and popular programming languages today.