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First Encounters
Christopher Columbus

Columbus was a Genoese Sailor and Explorer who left Spain in 1492 on his “Enterprise of the Indies,” an attempt to reach the riches of the East by sailing west that was sponsored by the Spanish Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.  On his first voyage he landed in San Salvador and founded the colony of Hispaniola on present day island of Haiti/Dominican Republic.  He encountered the Tainos and Arawaks, the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.  During 3 subsequent voyages, he discovered Cuba, Lesser Antilles, Montserrat, Antigua, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Trinidad.  He also explored parts of the coast of Central and South America.  Spain bestowed upon him the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, and Governor-General of Hispaniola, an office that was subsequently revoked due to maladministration.  He died in Valladolid, Spain in 1506.

Image is an Early Engraving of Christopher Columbus
Credit:  Houghton Library, Harvard University

Educational Resources Cultural Encounters "First Encounters Timeline" "Leagues Across the Seas" "Leagues Across the Seas Math Worksheet"