Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. He was born in Genoa, Italy. Columbus set sail in 1492 under the Spanish flag, hoping to find a new route to Asia but instead landed in the Bahamas, which he initially believed to be the East Indies. His expeditions took him to various Caribbean islands, as well as the coasts of Central and South America. Despite his significant role in history, Columbus's legacy is complex due to the negative impact his voyages had on indigenous populations. He passed away on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, Spain.