Christopher Columbus Book

The books in this series look at explorers whose discoveries helped to change the world, and together they chart 1000 years of seafaring, exploration and discovery. Each book describes the background to these journeys, focusing on the economic pressures and technological advances which combined to make them possible. The books also examine the native societies that the explorers encountered, and assesses the long-term impact of their discoveries at home and abroad. This book profiles Christopher Columbus, an Italian sea captain, who made three voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the 1490s. He sailed in search of China, and instead found America. The year 1492, when Columbus first landed in the New World, marks one of the great turning points in history. The horizon boxes at the end of some chapters list people, places and events which readers can research to find out more about the period.