Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean led to the widespread European awareness of the Americas, marking the beginning of an era of exploration and colonization.
Born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, Columbus was drawn to the sea from a young age. Inspired by the travels of Marco Polo, he became obsessed with finding a westward route to Asia, aiming to tap into the lucrative spice trade. After numerous rejections, he finally secured support from King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I of Spain, who provided the necessary ships and resources for his journey. Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492, from Palos de la Frontera in Spain, with three ships: the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. After a challenging voyage across the Atlantic, Columbus and his crew sighted land on October 12, 1492. They had arrived on an island in the Bahamas, which Columbus named San Salvador. Believing he had reached the outskirts of Asia, Columbus referred to the indigenous people he encountered as "Indians." Columbus embarked on three more voyages to the Americas between 1493 and 1502. During these expeditions, he explored various Caribbean islands, including Cuba and Hispaniola, and attempted to establish Spanish settlements. While his initial objective of finding a direct route to Asia remained unfulfilled, Columbus's journeys opened the door for further European exploration and colonization, significantly impacting the native populations. Columbus's voyages are credited with initiating the Age of Discovery, a period marked by extensive exploration and colonization of the New World. His expeditions led to the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds, a process known as the Columbian Exchange. However, Columbus's legacy is complex; while he made significant contributions to navigation and exploration, his voyages also led to the exploitation and suffering of indigenous peoples.
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