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14 votes
3 answers
8k views

Did Columbus really never know he reached a new continent?

A widespread knowledge is that Columbus died without knowing he reached a new continent. But: In Columbus Journal of the Third Voyage (1498) it is written: "I have come to believe that this is a ...
Polk's user avatar
  • 141
6 votes
1 answer
604 views

How did Diego Gutiérrez know the boundaries (shape of the Americas) when he drew the 1562 Map of America

The map drawn by Diego Gutiérrez in 1562 shows both North and South American shapes (borders). How did he (or the 15th century Europeans) know the shapes of the American continents and their geography ...
user6123723's user avatar
37 votes
3 answers
4k views

Did anyone in Europe predict the existence of the Americas?

According to the answer of this question, Columbus was pretty much unique in his belief that the world was small enough and Asia was big enough to make sailing west to Asia possible. Everyone else ...
Nerrolken's user avatar
  • 7,712
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

Was Christopher Columbus Polish?

A Polish friend of mine stated that Columbus was of Polish heritage. Claims are made that he was a Polish immigrant to Italy, and that he came from a disgraced noble family in Poland.
Five Points's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why aren't the Americas named after Christopher Columbus

I was reading the question Why is Columbus Credited with Discovering America, and I wondered why aren't the Americas named after him? I was under the impression that although he is the one we credit ...
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