🧭 Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo) was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
His Voyages
- First Voyage (1492-1493): Columbus set sail in August 1492, funded by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, and landed in the Bahamas.
- Second Voyage (1493-1496): Columbus explored more of the Caribbean, discovering several islands including Puerto Rico.
- Third Voyage (1498-1500): He reached mainland South America, discovering the Orinoco River in Venezuela.
- Fourth Voyage (1502-1504): Columbus attempted to find a westward passage to the Indian Ocean, exploring Central America.
Despite his achievements, Columbus is a controversial figure due to the negative impacts his expeditions had on indigenous populations, with consequences lasting for generations.