Python is a multi-paradigm programming language created in 1989 by Guido van Rossum. It is based on ABC and Modula-3 and was named after Monty Python. Python has a simple syntax and dynamic typing and memory management. It can be used for web development, data science, scientific computing, and more. The core philosophy is summarized in the Zen of Python document. Python code is written, tested, and executed using integrated development environments like PyCharm or directly from the command line.