to the edge of the earth it a brave new world

Columbus died in Spain in 1506 without realizing the scope of what he did achieve: He had discovered for Europe the New World, whose riches over the next century would help make Spain the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. He was the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland in the 10th century.ĭuring his lifetime, Columbus led a total of four expeditions to the 'New World,' exploring various Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South and Central American mainlands, but he never accomplished his original goal-a western ocean route to the great cities of Asia.

The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and “Indian” captives in March 1493 and was received with the highest honors by the Spanish court. He established a small colony there with 39 of his men. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. On October 12, the expedition reached land, probably Watling Island in the Bahamas. On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three small ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Nina.

To the edge of the earth it a brave new world