Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of the Americas in the year 1492. He embarked on his first voyage under the auspices of the Spanish crown, seeking a western route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, which he mistakenly believed to be part of Asia. Columbus’s voyages initiated widespread exploration and colonization of the Americas by European powers, profoundly changing the course of history. His encounters with indigenous peoples and the resulting exchanges contributed to the Columbian Exchange, altering global trade and ecosystems. Columbus's journeys also sparked debates about exploration, exploitation, and the treatment of native populations.