Christopher Columbus is credited with being the first European to notify the world of the existence of the Americas. His voyages, which began in 1492 under the auspices of the Spanish monarchy, aimed to find a westward route to Asia. Instead, Columbus reached the Caribbean, mistakenly believing he had found a new route to India. His expeditions are significant because they opened the Americas to European exploration and colonization, leading to profound cultural, social, and economic changes globally. Columbus' legacy is complex, as it also brought about the exploitation and suffering of indigenous populations, highlighting both discovery and tragic consequences.