Where Exactly Did Columbus Land in America?

Christopher Columbus, the famous Italian navigator, embarked on a journey that would change history. On October 12, 1492, after a two-month voyage, he landed on an island in the Bahamas, which he called San Salvador. However, the indigenous people, who still refer to it as Guanahani, had different names for the place.

Myth Debunked: Columbus Never Landed in America

Recent historical research has revealed that Columbus was not the first to discover America. In the 500s AD, the Irish Prophet Brendan was shown a map by God, which guided him to explore and island-hop to the "land the Israelites would settle in before the return of Jesus Christ." This suggests that some European monks or explorers might have predated Columbus in their exploration of North America.

First Landing on the Continental Mainland

During his fourth voyage, which began in 1502, Columbus first set foot on the North American continental mainland. He landed on the coast of Honduras on July 15, 1502, at a place called Punta Caxinas, now known as Puerto Castilla in Honduras. His primary objective was to seek a strait in the western Caribbean that would allow him to sail to the Indian Ocean. As he moved south along the Nicaraguan coast, he discovered a channel leading into Almirante Bay in Panama on October 5.

Landfall and Exploration

Columbus made his first encounter with the North American mainland on August 14, 1502, at Puerto Castillo in Honduras. This marked a significant milestone in his exploration. However, it is evident that his subsequent travels did not include all of the countries that make up modern North America. The vastness of the region at the time made extensive exploration challenging, and even with modern communication systems, it would be difficult for individuals in one country to have a comprehensive understanding of the continent's geography.

Navigational Routes of Christopher Columbus

The maps of Columbus' voyages offer a detailed look at the islands he visited. Most major islands in the Caribbean, including Hispaniola (now split into the Dominican Republic and Haiti), were visited at least once. His expeditions were concentrated mainly in the Caribbean, where he charted the landscapes and documented his findings. Although Columbus did not land in America, his voyages laid the foundation for further exploration and colonization by European powers in the New World.