Life of christopher columbus
Christopher Columbus
| Spanish traveler, navigator and colonialist. Date of Birth: Country: Spain |
Content:
- Biography of Christopher Columbus
- Early Life and Career
- Explorations and Discoveries
Biography of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was a Spanish explorer, navigator, and colonizer.
Biography of marco polo Christopher Columbus was a Spanish explorer, navigator, and colonizer. His story is particularly interesting because his greatest discovery was made completely by accident, as his original goal was something entirely different. Nevertheless, Columbus not only discovered an unknown continent and initiated a new era of exploration, but also immortalized his name. The exact date and place of Columbus' birth are unknown, but he was born somewhere in Genoa between October 31, , and October 30, According to Columbus himself, he first went to sea at the age ofHis story is particularly interesting because his greatest discovery was made completely by accident, as his original goal was something entirely different. Nevertheless, Columbus not only discovered an unknown continent and initiated a new era of exploration, but also immortalized his name.
Early Life and Career
The exact date and place of Columbus' birth are unknown, but he was born somewhere in Genoa between October 31, , and October 30, According to Columbus himself, he first went to sea at the age of In , he became an apprentice and business agent for representatives of wealthy Genoese families.
As part of his duties, he embarked on several voyages at sea, accompanying valuable cargo. From to , Columbus resided in Lisbon.
In Lisbon, Columbus married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, the daughter of a Portuguese nobleman and the governor of Porto Santo. They had a son named Diego, who was born around or It is unclear what happened to Filipa, as some claim she died in , while others say Columbus abandoned her.
Regardless, he moved to Castile, where he found a new mistress.
Columbus was known for his exceptional ambition and dedication to solving the challenges he faced.
Lezli baskerville biography of christopher columbus His expeditions were the first known European contact with the Caribbean and Central and South America. Growing up on the coast of Liguria , he went to sea at a young age and traveled widely, as far north as the British Isles and as far south as what is now Ghana. He married Portuguese noblewoman Filipa Moniz Perestrelo , who bore a son, Diego , and was based in Lisbon for several years. Largely self-educated, Columbus was knowledgeable in geography, astronomy, and history. He developed a plan to seek a western sea passage to the East Indies , hoping to profit from the lucrative spice trade.He devoted himself to learning, studying scientific works and mastering foreign languages. Although he lacked a formal education, Columbus was able to teach himself many things. One of his favorite books was the Bible, and he frequently quoted it in his letters and diaries.
Explorations and Discoveries
Between and , Columbus completed four voyages from Spain to America and back.
These expeditions were sponsored by the Spanish government, with the main goal of finding a shorter water route to Asia.
China and India had abundant valuable resources, but the Silk Road, especially after the fall of Constantinople, was not particularly safe.
Until his dying day, Columbus refused to admit that he had reached a new continent instead of Asia, which played a role in the naming of the discovered land. On August 3, , Columbus set sail on the ships Santa Maria, Pinta, and Niña.
They first reached the Canary Islands and then ventured across the ocean. The lookout on the Pinta spotted land around am on October 12, although Columbus later claimed that he had seen lights on land several hours earlier, thus granting himself the right to a lifetime pension promised by Spain.
The island they discovered, one of the Bahamas, was named San Salvador by Columbus.
Lezli baskerville biography of christopher columbus for kids
The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in , , and He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. During the 15th and 16th centuries, leaders of several European nations sponsored expeditions abroad in the hope that explorers would find great wealth and vast undiscovered lands. Starting in about , small Portuguese ships known as caravels zipped along the African coast, carrying spices, gold and other goods as well as enslaved people from Asia and Africa to Europe.There, the explorers encountered the native inhabitants and discovered their friendliness and love for gold ornaments. Later, the Santa Maria ran aground and had to be abandoned. After further exploration of the surrounding waters and a significant conflict with the locals, the explorers returned home, taking a dozen natives with them as living souvenirs.
The news of the discovery caused a sensation.
On his second voyage, Columbus set out with 17 ships. They left Cadiz on September 24, , and the exact route is difficult to reconstruct.
However, it is known that Columbus sailed along the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, and landed in Puerto Rico. They also made a brief visit to Haiti and Cuba. Along the way, Columbus established the first European colonies in America, although there may have been earlier Viking visits.
The third expedition was sponsored with less enthusiasm.
By the end of it, Columbus had fallen out with Spanish colonists and had to suppress a serious rebellion. Spanish authorities later forced him to reconcile with the rebels on humiliating terms and removed him from his post as governor of the new lands.
Lezli baskerville biography of christopher columbus book Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who made historical voyages across the Atlantic, mistakenly discovering the Americas in Christopher Columbus, known as Cristoforo Colombo in his native Italy, was a pivotal figure in the Age of Exploration. Born around in Genoa, Italy, he developed a passion for sailing and mapmaking early in life, which led him to embark on an ambitious quest to find a new trade route to Asia by sailing westward across the Atlantic Ocean. His journey led to the "discovery" of the Americas, although he believed he had reached Asia. Between and , Columbus made four voyages to the Caribbean and South America, claiming various territories for Spain.Columbus also lost his exclusive right to explore the new territories.
The fourth expedition was his last chance to find a direct route to Asia, but his progress was halted by the presence of Central America. After giving up his explorations, Columbus turned to religion. His attempt to secure from the Spanish Crown the right to 10% of all income from the new territories proved unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, his health deteriorated, and he believed he suffered from gout or influenza. Modern doctors tend to believe he was a victim of reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome).
On May 20, , Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain. Initially, his remains were buried in Valladolid, then moved to Seville, and later in , they were transferred to the territory of present-day Dominican Republic.