Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas in 1492. Sponsored by the Spanish monarchy, he aimed to find a western sea route to Asia but instead landed in the Bahamas, believing he had found a new route to the East Indies. This voyage marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Columbus's expeditions paved the way for further exploration and the eventual establishment of trade routes and settlements. His voyages are often viewed as a turning point in world history, although they also had devastating effects on indigenous populations.