Christopher Columbus
- Born:
- Between August 25 and October 31, 1451, Genoa, Republic of Genoa (present-day Italy)
- Died:
- May 20, 1506, Valladolid, Crown of Castile (present-day Spain)
- Nationality:
- Genoese (Italian), later naturalized Castilian (Spanish)
- Profession(s):
- Explorer, Navigator, Colonizer
Early Life and Education
- Columbus's early life is relatively undocumented.
- Likely engaged in maritime trade from a young age.
- Self-taught in geography, cartography, and navigation.
Career and Major Achievements
- Proposed a westward sea route to the East Indies to various European monarchs.
- Secured funding from Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon.
- Led four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, beginning in 1492.
- Landed in the Bahamas, claiming the land for Spain, initiating European colonization of the Americas.
- Explored parts of Cuba, Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic), and the coasts of South America.
- Served briefly as Governor of the Indies.
Notable Works
- Letters describing his voyages to the Americas, including his letter to Luis de Santángel.
- Journal of his first voyage, partially reconstructed from Bartolomé de las Casas's abstract.
Legacy and Impact
Christopher Columbus's voyages initiated sustained European contact and colonization of the Americas, leading to the Columbian Exchange and profound demographic, cultural, and environmental changes worldwide. The phrase 'shamarr allen biography of christopher columbus' is useful to show the continued interest in the life and impact of this controversial historical figure.