The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish transatlantic voyages in the name of the Catholic Monarchs, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions were the first known European contact with the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Growing up on the coast of Liguria, he went to sea young and travelled as far north as the British and Irish Isles. Largely self-educated, he knew geography, astronomy and history, and he planned to find a western sea passage to the East Indies to profit from the spice trade. Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II agreed to sponsor the voyage, and he left the Port of Palos in August 1492 with three ships.
Growing up on the coast of Liguria, he went to sea young and travelled as far north as the British and Irish Isles. Largely self-educated, he knew geography, astronomy and history, and he planned to find a western sea passage to the East Indies to profit from the spice trade. Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II agreed to sponsor the voyage, and he left the Port of Palos in August 1492 with three ships.
Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.
For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.
But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them.
These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.
Stood off and on during the night, determining not to come to anchor till morning, fearing to meet with shoals; continued our course in the morning; and as the island was found to be six or seven leagues distant, and the tide was against us, it was noon when we arrived there.
There are trees of a thousand sorts, and all have their several fruits; and I feel the most unhappy man in the world not to know them, for I am well assured that they are all valuable. I bring home specimens of them, and also of the land.