---
title: Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-four-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-14/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-09-13
---

# Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14653.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14653.png)

## Image Caption

[Christopher Columbus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Christopher_Columbus/) (c. 1451–1506) led four transatlantic expeditions between 1492 and 1504 under the patronage of [Isabella I of Castile](https://www.worldhistory.org/Isabella_I_of_Castile/) and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Seeking a westward maritime route to Asia, he instead opened sustained Spanish contact with the Caribbean and the American mainland. These four voyages [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) the transition from exploration to [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/), imperial expansion, and long-term Atlantic exchange.

1. **First Voyage (1492–1493)** – sailing from Palos on 3 August 1492 with three ships, [Columbus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Christopher_Columbus/) reached Guanahani (San Salvador) in the Bahamas on 12 October, then explored Cuba and Hispaniola, where the Santa María was wrecked and La Navidad was founded.
2. **Second Voyage (1493–1496)** – a much larger expedition of 17 ships left [Cádiz](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cadiz/) on 25 September 1493 to expand Spanish colonization; it explored the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica, and founded La Isabela on Hispaniola.
3. **Third Voyage (1498–1500)** – departing Sanlúcar on 30 May 1498, Columbus reached Trinidad and the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela, making his first landfall on the South American mainland; the voyage ended with his arrest and return to Spain in chains.
4. **Fourth Voyage (1502–1504)** – leaving Cádiz on 9 May 1502, Columbus searched for a strait to Asia along the coast of Central America, explored from Honduras to Panama, encountered a major Mesoamerican trading canoe, and ultimately lost his ships and became stranded on Jamaica before returning to Spain in 1504.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, September 13). Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-four-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-14/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 13, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-four-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-14/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus, 1492–1504: Routes, Landfalls & Colonial Expansion in the Americas." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Sep 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-four-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-14/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 13 September 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.