Christopher Columbus first discovered the Americas while trying to prove his theory that Europeans could reach China by sailing west from Europe. After years of study, he approached the rulers of several European countries to fund his exploration. Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella agreed to fund the voyage and in August of 1492, Columbus set sail from the Spanish port of Palos with three ships and 88 men. Columbus described this first voyage to the Americas …showed first 75 words of 2273 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2273 total…will soon be above and beyond the wealthiest nation in the world. To be a Spaniard at this point in history would be incredible because Spain had manifested itself all across the world and had successfully pioneered an expedition where no humans were thought to have gone before. It was even more exciting because Spain had found new resources and Spanish courage had gone into the unknown and found new lands and new potential riches.