Christopher Columbus is credited with the major discovery of the Americas in 1492, although he believed he had found a new route to Asia. Commissioned by Spain, Columbus made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, eventually reaching islands in the Caribbean, including present-day Bahamas and Hispaniola. His expeditions opened the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. While Columbus is celebrated for his navigational achievements, his voyages also led to the profound and often devastating impact of European colonization on indigenous populations and ecosystems, shaping the course of history in the New World.