Christopher Columbus (c. 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer. Born in the Republic of Genoa, under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. Those voyages and his efforts to establish settlements on the island of Hispaniola initiated the permanent European colonization of the New World.
At a time when European kingdoms were beginning to establish new trade routes and colonies, motivated by imperialism and economic competition, Columbus proposed to reach the East Indies by sailing westward. This eventually received the support of the Spanish Crown, which saw a chance to enter the spice trade with Asia through this new route. During his first voyage in 1492, he reached the New World instead of arriving at Japan as he had intended, landing on an island in the Bahamas archipelago that he named “San Salvador”. Over the course of three more voyages, he visited the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as the Caribbean coast of Venezuela and Central America, claiming all of it for the Crown of Castile.
More at: Christopher Columbus – Wikipedia
Additional Articles associated with this person’s firsts:
- Alcazar de Colon built by Christopher Columbus
- Columbus Day, Celebrating Christopher Columbus and his first landfall in the New World
- Christopher Columbus saved by an eclipse
- Letters from Christopher Columbus sent from Lisbon
- The first of four voyages under the command of Columbus
- Cases of syphilis are in dispute.
- Slaves in the New World, were imported African slaves
- First Euro Town in New World, La Isabela
- Orange Cultivation in the New World
- Eyewitness report to become a best-seller
- New World added to world map
- Arawakan Indians presented to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
- Limes in the New World
- Pineapples in the Old World
- Horses in the New World
- Peanuts Cultivation by Aztecs
- Sugar cane in the New World
- Peaches in the New World
- Cultivation of the Pineapple
Name(s):
Christopher Columbus
Occupation:
Captain,
Explorer
Birth:
Genoa, Italy
Death:
May 20th 1506, Valladolid, Spain
Spouse:
Filipa Moniz Perestrelo
(m. 1479)
Children:
Diego Columbus,
Ferdinand Columbus
Quotes:
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.
Additional Information:
- Christopher Columbus – Wikipedia
The name Christopher Columbus is the Anglicisation of the Latin Christophorus Columbus. His name in Italian is Cristoforo Colombo and, in Spanish, it is Cristóbal Colón. - Christopher Columbus – Explorer – Biography.com
Famed Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the “New World” of the Americas on an expedition sponsored by King Ferdinand of Spain in 1492. - Christopher Columbus – Exploration – HISTORY.com
The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. - Christopher Columbus | Biography, Voyages, & Facts | Britannica.com
PARA - BBC – History – Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus, Italian Cristoforo Colombo, Spanish Cristóbal Colón (born between August 26 and October 31?, 1451, Genoa [Italy]—died May 20, 1506, Valladolid, Spain), master navigator and admiral whose four transatlantic voyages (1492–93, 1493–96, 1498–1500, and 1502–04) opened the way for European exploration, exploitation, and colonization of the Americas. - Explorers for Kids: Christopher Columbus – Ducksters
Christopher Columbus is the explorer who is credited for discovering America. Of course, there were already people living in America at the time who we call Native Americans. - Christopher Columbus Discovers America, 1492 – EyeWitness to History
Columbus led his three ships – the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria – out of the Spanish port of Palos on August 3, 1492. His objective was to sail west until he reached Asia (the Indies) where the riches of gold, pearls and spice awaited.