Christopher Columbus (1451 - 20. 5. 1506) - Italian navigator, colonizer and explorer. In 1492 sailed to the islands of the Bahamas, while other expeditions came to the US continental mainland and opened the way Europeans gateway to a new continent.

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in the family mercer. His father wanted him to have also a merchant's son, attracted far and had fourteen African visited Tunis and the Greek island of Chiros. He loved to travel, as he sought inspiration, published on other cruises and gradually became an experienced seafarer. He believed the theory that the earth is round, which led him to the idea to reach India and Japan western route. Support for his plan he tried to find in Portugal, but finally succeeded in neighboring Spain, where he won the favor of Queen Isabella alone.

August 3, 1492 started his small fleet, which consisted of small caravel Pinta and the Nina and the Santa Maria greater, towards unknown d�lk�m. Stocks added expedition to the Canary Islands, then followed by a five-week voyage across the Atlantic. October 12, 1492 saw the crew of the island, which was named San Salvador (located in the Bahamas archipelago, but whether it was the San Salvador today, not entirely sure). Columbus thought he landed in India, because the natives called Indios. They were friendly to visitors and is amazed gifts, which were in Europe priceless. That same year Columbus discovered Cuba and Haiti, where the Spaniards later transferred residents of San Salvador to work as slaves in gold mining. After returning to Spain discoverer, p�iv�ej�c�mu rich and diverse cargo jewelry, spices and exotic plants, received royal honors and widespread recognition.

Total Columbus organized four trips, their purpose was not only trade but also the spread of Christianity. The real American mainland apparently seen only during his third voyage across the ocean (1498). After returning from last expedition lived Columbus in Seville, later settled in Valladolid, where 20 May 1506 as an embittered man died in oblivion. Until the end of his life he believed that he could have gone to Asia.