Illustration
This map illustrates the four voyages of Christopher Columbus (circa 1451–1506), a Genoese navigator sailing under the flag of Spain between 1492 and 1504. Although his intended mission was to discover a westward trade route to India, China, Japan, and the Spice Islands, he instead reached the Caribbean islands. Notably, Columbus only landed on the mainland of the Americas during his fourth and final voyage.
Despite this, his expeditions had an enormous impact on world history. They initiated the so-called "Age of Discovery", setting in motion a period of sustained European exploration and expansion. Columbus’ voyages marked the beginning of European colonialism in the Americas, leading to profound and lasting changes in global trade, geopolitics, and cross-cultural exchange.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2021, September 24). Map of the Voyages of Christopher Columbus 1492-1504. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-1492-15/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Voyages of Christopher Columbus 1492-1504." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 24, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-1492-15/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Voyages of Christopher Columbus 1492-1504." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 24 Sep 2021, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14653/map-of-the-voyages-of-christopher-columbus-1492-15/. Web. 28 Jun 2025.
