The explorer credited with discovering America in 1492 is Christopher Columbus. Sponsorship from the Spanish Crown propelled his expedition to seek a new route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Bahamas, marking a pivotal moment in history that led to widespread exploration and colonization of the Americas. Columbus's voyages opened up an era of European exploration and exchange, significantly impacting indigenous populations. Despite his controversial legacy, Columbus’s journeys are often celebrated for their historical significance, fundamentally altering global trade, culture, and demographics and thereby reshaping world history.