Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus (also known as Cristoforo Colombo) was an Italian explorer who lived during the 15th century. He is famous for his voyages to America, during which he discovered America on behalf of the Spanish monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, around 1451. Not much is known about his life before 1492, but it is believed that he was an experienced sailor and studied geography, cartography, and astronomy. In 1492, Columbus presented a proposal to the Spanish monarchs to reach India by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, claiming it would be faster and cheaper than the existing trade routes. After much difficulty, the monarchs agreed to finance Columbus's voyage, which set sail on August 3, 1492 with three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña.

Columbus's voyage never reached India, but on October 12, 1492, Columbus landed on an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. Columbus and his crew met the Taíno indigenous people, whom they called "Indians" because they believed they had reached India. Columbus continued to explore America for the next three years, visiting various islands in the Caribbean, the coast of Central and South America, and the island of Cuba.

Columbus's voyages to America marked the beginning of the European age of exploration and colonization in America. However, Columbus and his voyages have been the subject of controversy for centuries due to their effects on indigenous Americans and their participation in the African slave trade. Despite this, Columbus remains an important historical figure for his role in the discovery of America.