Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus is a vivid account of exploration, discovery, and cultural encounter, framed within the context of the late 15th century and the dawn of European expansion into the New World. Through his daily entries, Christopher Columbus documents not only the practical challenges of navigation and leadership but also his perceptions of the lands and peoples he encountered. The journal reflects both the spirit of curiosity and ambition that drove the Age of Discovery, as well as the misconceptions and biases of its time. Since its preservation and dissemination, the Journal has been regarded as a foundational text in the history of exploration, offering insight into the mindset of one of history's most consequential voyages. Its descriptions of the Caribbean islands, their natural landscapes, and the Indigenous inhabitants provide a first-hand perspective on the initial moments of contact between Europe and the Americas. The enduring relevance of the Journal lies in its ability to capture the tension between aspiration and reality-between the mythic expectations of discovery and the lived experience of voyage and encounter. By chronicling the uncertainties, hopes, and triumphs of his expedition, Columbus invites readers into the mindset of an era defined by expansion, ambition, and the profound reshaping of world history.

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Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer and navigator, widely recognized as one of the most significant figures of the Age of Discovery. Born in Genoa, in the Republic of Genoa, Columbus is known for his voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, which opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, marked a turning point in world history, bridging the gap between Europe and the New World. Columbus devoted much of his career to securing royal patronage for his ambitious plan to reach Asia by crossing the Atlantic. After years of rejection, he finally gained support from Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II of Spain. In 1492, he set sail with three ships - the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María - and reached the islands of the Caribbean, believing he had arrived in Asia. The impact of Columbus's voyages was monumental. His journeys initiated the Columbian Exchange, a vast transfer of crops, animals, cultures, and diseases between the Old World and the New. This exchange reshaped diets, economies, and societies on both sides of the Atlantic, though it also brought devastating consequences for indigenous populations, including disease, displacement, and conquest. Columbus remains a complex and controversial figure. To some, he symbolizes exploration, daring, and the expansion of human horizons; to others, he represents colonization, exploitation, and the suffering inflicted upon native peoples. His legacy reflects both the achievements and the darker consequences of European expansion during the 15th and 16th centuries.