Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He settled in Portugal and married a woman of noble background. After his wife's death in 1485, Columbus and his son Diego moved to Spain. Knowing the world was round, he theorized that since the earth was a sphere, a ship could possibly reach the Far East from the opposite direction. Knowing this, Columbus set out to make trade routes to the Far East. There was much skepticism (doubting) from mapmakers  because they weren't able to produce an accurate picture of the Pacific Ocean. After initially being turned down from the royal family of Spain, they reconsidered once the Moors (a type of Moslem) had been successfully routed from Spain in 1492. In granting him this expedition, Columbus promised to bring back gold, spices, and silks from the Far East, to spread Christianity, and to lead an expedition to China. In return Columbus was given the title "Admiral of the Ocean Seas" and became governor of all the discovered lands (WOW!).   

   Columbus departed Palos, Spain with three ships on August 4, 1492. The Nina, a lateen-rigged ship, was guided by Martin Alonzo Pinzon. The Pinta, a square-rigged ship, was captained by Pinzon's brother, Vicente Yanez. The Santa Maria, a nao (large with a rounded hull), was Columbus' flagship.

For a more in-depth, detailed and nit-picky biography of Columbus click this link ===> Biography.com

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