Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, and his crew left Spain with 3 ships named: the Pinta, the Santa Maria, and the Nina for his first voyage at sea. He wanted to discover a new route to the Orient. He also wanted to bring back treasures for Spain.

On this journey, Christopher Columbus had not seen any land for several weeks. On the 29th day at sea, he saw a flock of land birds flying in the sky, and he shifted his course to follow the bird’s flight plan.

On October 12th, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on a Caribbean island in the Bahamas. He names the island San Salvador. He thinks he has reached the East Indies.

TAINO PEOPLE

Columbus and the crew met the naked Taino people. The Taino people spoke Arawak languages. They were nomadic hunters and gatherers. Christopher Columbus thought these people were intelligent because of their ability to repeat phrases they were given in his language.

Columbus took some of their gold jewelry and gold dust. He believed the Taino people could be transformed into Christians and civilized. Christopher Columbus took many of the Taino people prisoners to offer to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon his return.

HISTORY

Columbus had started The Age of Exploration and was trying to colonize the islands he discovered. Many navigators were to follow in his footsteps in exploring new worlds and bringing back treasures. Christopher Columbus has gone down in history as a brilliant navigator and explorer.