What's the difference between protestant religion and roman catholic?

Sorry, I'm not really sure..I'm just wondering because one of my best friends is Protestant and I'm pretty sure she believes in Jesus like I do and because my boyfriend is Protestant too. So what's the real difference or whats Protestant? ------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism ------

Well the Roman Catholic Church was the first Christian church ever created, years later during the Reformation many people began to grow separate ideas from the Catholic church, new beliefs came about and the Protestant churches came to be. ------