The famous explorer who sailed for Spain in 1492 is Christopher Columbus. Columbus embarked on his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean hoping to find a new trade route to Asia. Instead, he discovered the Caribbean islands, which marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in the Americas. His voyages led to the widespread awareness of the American continents in Europe, fundamentally changing the course of history. Columbus made a total of four voyages, although he never actually set foot on the mainland of North America. His legacy is complex, as it includes both exploration and the resulting impacts on indigenous populations.