The famous explorer credited with discovering the New World in 1492 is Christopher Columbus. An Italian navigator sponsored by Spain, Columbus embarked on his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean with the aim of finding a westward route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, which he mistakenly believed were part of Asia. His expeditions opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Columbus’s voyages marked a significant turning point in history, leading to major cultural exchanges and the eventual establishment of European dominance in the New World.