Christopher Columbus is the legendary explorer known for his voyages to the New World, beginning in 1492. Sponsored by the Spanish monarchy, his expeditions aimed to find a western route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Caribbean, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His journeys significantly impacted history, leading to the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds, often termed the Columbian Exchange. Columbus's legacy is complex, involving both discovery and the tragic consequences for indigenous populations.