Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of the Americas in 1492. Sailing under the Spanish flag, Columbus set out to find a westward route to Asia but instead landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. His voyages marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Although Columbus was not the first European to reach the continent—preceded by the Vikings—his expeditions led to widespread awareness and subsequent migration. Columbus' legacy is complex, as he is celebrated for his daring exploration but also criticized for the negative impact on indigenous populations.