Christopher Columbus is often credited with discovering America in 1492, although it’s essential to recognize that Indigenous peoples had inhabited the continent for thousands of years prior to his arrival. Columbus landed in the Bahamas during his quest for a westward route to Asia, marking the beginning of sustained European exploration and colonization of the Americas. This historical event led to significant cultural exchanges but also had devastating effects on native populations. The term "discovery" is controversial in this context, as it overlooks the existing civilizations and cultures that thrived long before Columbus’s voyages.