The voyage that connected Europe to the Americas in the 15th century is known as the Columbian Exchange. This term describes the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World, initiated by Christopher Columbus's voyages starting in 1492. Columbus's expeditions opened the door for European exploration and colonization of the Americas. The exchange drastically affected both continents, introducing new crops and livestock to both areas, altering diets and economies. However, it also resulted in the spread of diseases that devastated Indigenous populations in the Americas.