The significance of the discovery of the Americas in 1492 by Christopher Columbus was profound and far-reaching. It marked the beginning of widespread European exploration and colonization in the New World, fundamentally changing global trade, culture, and demographics. The encounter led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and people, known as the Columbian Exchange, which had lasting impacts on both the Americas and Europe. However, this was also the onset of significant negative consequences for Indigenous populations, including displacement, disease, and violence. The discovery shaped the course of history for centuries to come.