On this momentous journey, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 with the ambition of finding a new route to Asia, seeking the riches of the East, particularly gold and spices. After his departure from Spain, Columbus made his way across the Atlantic and landed on the island of Cuba, on the northeastern coast. He initially thought the lush landscapes and hospitable conditions resembled descriptions of Japan, leading him to wrongly identify the land he discovered. Columbus's time in Cuba was marked by explorations to gather information and resources, and he briefly interacted with the indigenous Taino people, who populated the region.The landing was significant not only for Columbus and his crew but also for European history during the Age of Exploration. His mistaken belief that he had reached Asia highlighted the limited geographic knowledge Europeans held at the time. Columbus claimed the land for Spain and described it in detailed reports to the court of Isabella and Ferdinand, igniting further interest in the New World and leading to subsequent expeditions by Europeans. Furthermore, this encounter marked the beginning of significant interactions between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Americas.Columbus's landing on the coast of Cuba would eventually part the curtain on a new era of colonization and conflict, reshaping the Americas for centuries to come. Although he did not find the riches he sought in the East, his explorations paved the way for the Spanish Empire to expand its territories in the New World and set off a wave of exploration by other European nations, drastically altering global trade routes and cultural exchanges.