Python is a powerful, high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s, with versions launched in 1991 (1.0) and 2008 (3.0), which introduced important non-backward compatible changes. It features an elegant syntax, extensive standard libraries, and supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented and functional programming. The document outlines the basics of Python programming, including setup, syntax, data types, and fundamental programming concepts such as variables, expressions, and functions.