Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was an explorer from Italy who wanted to find a new way to the Far East by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. He thought it would be faster and easier than going around the dangerous Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. So he asked the king of Spain to fund his voyage. The King agreed and Columbus sailed in three ships called the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. He sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and eventually reached America in 1492. Even though he didn’t reach India like he wanted to, he made an amazing discovery. He opened the way for new trade routes and established many colonies in the new world.