Nicole Steliotes
Olivia Roberson
Period 8
 Christopher Columbus was born in
Genoa, Italy in about 1451. His first
job was on a merchant ship as in
various roles, including messenger,
common sailor, and a 21-year-old
privateer. He later lived in Lisbon,
where he studied mathematics,
astronomy,
cartography
and
navigation.
 At the end of the 15th century, it was
difficult to reach Asia from Europe by
land. The route was long and armies were
hard to avoid. Christopher Columbus
wanted to find a new route to the East.
Before exploring, he had to propose plans
to the Portuguese and Spanish kings, but
he was repeatedly turned down until
finally King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
promised they would fund him. He was
not only going for the three G’s, but he
would also be claiming land for the King.
 Every other sailor was trying to reach other
lands by sailing east. Columbus decided to
sail west, knowing he would eventually
reach the same destination since they knew
the earth was round. Columbus set sail on
August 3, 1492 from Palos, Spain, and on
October 11, 1492, arrived at the Caribbean
islands. He landed in the Bahamas, which
he named San Salvador. Columbus’ men
traveled to the islands of Hispaniola now
divided into Haiti and the Dominican
Republic. Although he thought he had
made it to Asia on a different route, he had
actually reached South America.
 Columbus’
exploration was so
important because it made the
Europeans much more aware of the
new world, which encouraged them
to continue seeking new land in
North and South America through
the 1500s. Today, his exploration is
important because our language and
culture have evolved from his people.
His language, Spanish, is the second
most spoken language in the world
today. Many races have arisen from
these various migrations.
Christopher Columbus;
Mini Biography
Christopher Columbus Movie
 NMM Learning Team. "Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)."
Royal Museums Greenwich. National Maritime Museum,
2013. Web. 03 May 2013.
<http://www.rmg.co.uk/columbus>.
 "Primary History- Famous People- Christopher Columbus."
BBC News. BBC, 2013. Web. 03 May 2013.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/famouspe
ople/christopher_columbus/>.
 Halsall, Paul. "Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher
Columbus: Extracts from Journal." Internet History
Sourcebooks Project. N.p., 1996. Web. 06 May 2013.
<http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.asp>.