Christopher Columbus was the famous explorer who discovered the New World in 1492. Sponsored by Spain, Columbus set sail across the Atlantic with the aim of finding a westward route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, marking the European encounter with the Americas. His voyages opened up transatlantic exploration and colonization, significantly impacting the course of world history. Columbus is often credited with connecting Europe to the Americas, although his expeditions led to exploitation and suffering for indigenous peoples. His legacy is complex, viewed as both an adventurer and a figure associated with colonialism.