European discoverer of America; born in Genoa, Italy. In Portugal, he became a master mariner and was determined to reach India by sailing west. After eight years of supplication, he received the backing of the Spanish monarchs FERDINAND V and ISABELLA I. On Oct. 12, 1492, his ships, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María, reached Watling Island, in the Bahama group; later they touched CUBA and HISPANIOLA. He was made an admiral and governor general of all new lands. In 1493 he set sail with 17 ships, exploring PUERTO RICO and the Leeward Islands, and founding a colony in Hispaniola. In 1498 he explored VENEZUELA, realizing that he had found a continent. Because of disreputable conditions in Hispaniola, he was replaced as governor in 1500 and returned to Spain in chains. On his last voyage (1502) he reached Central America. Although he is considered a master navigator today, he died in neglect, almost forgotten.

EXTERNAL SITES The Columbus Navigation Homepage - Examining the History, Navigation, and Landfall of Christopher Columbus 1492: An Ongoing Voyage - Exhibit of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC Christophorus Columbus (Cristóbal Colón) - part of the Discoverers Web Explorers: Christopher Columbus - Educator's Choice Search 1486 Diego Cão of Portugal, lands on Namibian Coast, at Cape Cross