1492day.year
Christopher Columbus arrives in the Canary Islands on his first voyage to the New World.
Christopher Columbus reached the Canary Islands on August 12, 1492, as he embarked on his historic voyage toward the New World.
On August 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. This stopover provided vital provisions and allowed Columbus’s fleet to make repairs before venturing into the unknown Atlantic Ocean. During his brief stay, the admiral stocked fresh water, food, and local livestock, ensuring his crew’s survival for the perilous crossing. The Canary Islands thus served as the last familiar port before the expedition’s leap toward uncharted waters. Columbus’s departure from Gran Canaria marked the beginning of a journey that would soon lead to the European ‘discovery’ of the Americas. The stopover also reflected Spain’s growing maritime prowess and its expanding interest in Atlantic exploration. Columbus’s voyage on a westward route changed the course of global history by opening transoceanic contact between continents.
1492
Christopher Columbus
Canary Islands