09.Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451.  His father was Domenico Colombo who worked as a wool weaver His mother was Susanna Fontanarossa. He had three brothers, Bartolomeo, Giovanni Pelligrino and Giacomo.
               Europe had established a land route to Asia (China and India) under the Mongol Empire. It was very long. Columbus proposed a smaller route to reach Asia. He calculated the distance based on Marinus of Tyre and judge the circumference of Earth to be approximately 25000 kilometers. Experts, however don't agree with him. Based on calculations of Eratosthenes, the circumference of the Earth was held to be 40,000 kilometers.
                In 1492, the King and Queen of Spain made him "Admiral of the sea" and made him the Viceroy and Governor of the new lands.
                 On 3rd of August, 1492, he started his first voyage. He sailed to Canary islands. He then went to Cuba and Hispaniola. In October, he discovered an island which was named 'San Salvador' . This is the present day Bahamas.
                 His second voyage began on the 24th of september, 1493 and he set sail from Cadiz. First of all, he went to Canary islands and stocked up there. He then visited and named Montserrat, Antigua, Redonda, Nevis, Saint Kitts, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Martin, Saint Croix, and the Virgin Islands. Then he landed at Puerto Rico. He then returned to Spain.
                 On the 30th May, 1498, he undertook his third voyage. He sailed from Sanlucar in Spain. In July, he landed on the island of Trinidad and in August in the Gulf of Paris. After exploring South America, he sailed to Margarita island and then he sailed to Tobago Grenada. Then he returned to Spain.
                  Christopher Columbus died on the 20th of May, 1506. His remains are preserved in the Cathedral of Seville in Spain borne by four statues representing the Kingdoms of Navarre, Castille, Aragon and Leon.