The Columbian Exchange was a major cultural exchange that significantly transformed the world following Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492. This exchange involved the transfer of plants, animals, technologies, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and the New World (the Americas). The introduction of crops like potatoes, tomatoes, and maize to Europe revolutionized diets and agriculture, while Europeans brought wheat, cattle, and horses to the Americas. This exchange not only altered food systems but also reshaped cultures, populations, and economies on both sides of the Atlantic, leading to profound long-term effects on global history.