The famous explorer credited with discovering the Americas is Christopher Columbus. In 1492, he made his historic voyage under the auspices of the Spanish crown. Aiming to find a new trade route to Asia, Columbus inadvertently stumbled upon the Caribbean islands, marking the beginning of widespread European exploration and colonization. His expeditions had profound effects on both the indigenous populations and European societies, leading to significant cultural, economic, and political changes. Columbus remains a controversial figure due to the consequences of his discoveries.