Christopher Columbus
1451-1506



Great explorer


INTRODUCTION


Christopher Columbus was possibly one of the greatest explorers ever known.



BACKGROUND


Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, and died on May 20, 1506. Columbus was married in 1479. His wife, Dona Felipa, died after his son was born.

Christopher Columbus had two brothers. His dad was a weaver. When Columbus was older he helped his dad on the loom. He had little education and only when he was an adult, learned to read and write. He believed that the world was round, not flat, and tried for seven years to prove his point. Columbus always wanted to go to sea. Columbus believed that he could find India by sailing westward.



ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Christopher Columbus was one of the greatest sea men and explorers. He was granted three ships for his first voyage. They were the Pinta, the Santa Maria, and the Nina. On his first voyage he traveled west and found an island in the Bahamas. Columbus landed in the New World on October 12, 1492.

On the second voyage he passed Puerto Rico and Navidad on November 27-28. On his third voyage he found South America, and Jamaica. On his fourth and last voyage, Columbus found Guanaja Island, and Honduras in Central America. Christopher Columbus tried to reach India but instead found the New World.

In the West Indies he saw foods such as pineapples, sweet potatoes, and corn. Columbus used a sand glass to time the speed of the ship. In Cuba he found Indians smoking the plant known as tobacco.



IMPACT


Christopher Columbus discovered the coast of South America. He also discovered the West Indies and Central America. He discovered the Bahamas, Cuba, and Haiti.




This picture was painted because Columbus found the New World.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Cox, F Kenneth. Human Heritage. Toronto, Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co., 1983, pp. 473-474.

2. Grant, Neil. The Great Atlas of Discovery. Toronto, The Canadian Publishers, 1992, pp. 24-25.

3. King, Cliea. Seven Great Explorations. Vancouver, Raincoast Books, 1996, pp. 9-12.

4. "Christopher Columbus." World Book Encyclopedia. 1990, pp. 854-864.

5. Dick, Stevens J. "Christopher Columbus." Groiler Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995.

This page was prepared by Jonathan and Robert, Grade 8, Riverdale Junior Secondary School.