Who was responsible for the discovery of the Americas in 1492?

The discovery of the Americas in 1492 is attributed to Christopher Columbus. He embarked on his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean sponsored by the Spanish monarchy with the goal of finding a westward route to Asia. Instead, Columbus reached the islands of the Caribbean, specifically San Salvador, which marked the first significant contact between Europe and the Americas. This event initiated a period of exploration and colonization that would have profound effects on the course of world history. Columbus's expeditions are often seen as the beginning of a new era, despite the fact that indigenous peoples had inhabited the Americas for millennia prior to his arrival.

The other individuals listed are notable explorers, but their explorations occurred at different times and were focused on different regions. Ferdinand Magellan is recognized for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, Vasco da Gama is known for his voyage to India around the southern tip of Africa, and Hernán Cortés is famous for his conquest of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico. Each played crucial roles in the Age of Discovery, but Columbus’s 1492 voyage is specifically tied to the European awareness and subsequent colonization of the Americas.