C++ is an object-oriented programming language that was created as an extension of C programming language. It was created by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979 at Bell Labs. Some key features of C++ include support for object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. C++ also supports functions, arrays, pointers, and file handling. It is commonly used for system software, drivers, servers, and applications like video games.