Christopher Columbus returned to Spain after completing his fourth and final voyage to the New World. His expedition, aimed at finding a western route to Asia, instead focused on the coasts of Central America and parts of the Caribbean. Columbus's journey faced numerous hardships, including shipwrecks, navigational challenges, and tense interactions with Native Americans. Despite his struggles, he collected valuable information about the territories he explored, revealing the complexities of the regions and their inhabitants. Upon his return, Columbus sought support to continue his explorations, although discontent with his leadership and the failure to find gold or a route to Asia made this difficult.

The return was fraught with tension, as Columbus faced criticism from the Spanish crown and merchants. He arrived in the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where he was met with mixed reactions. While his previous voyages had led to lucrative trade and claims of new lands, this last journey brought more tales of adversity and disputes with indigenous populations. Columbus's efforts to secure more patronage from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were complicated by the fact that their interest in supporting him had waned due to the lack of riches from his last voyage. Nevertheless, Columbus's accomplishments and discoveries had laid the groundwork for future explorations by others.

Despite the challenges he faced, Columbus's lasting impact on European knowledge of the New World was profound. His voyages opened the door for further exploration and eventual colonization of the Americas, making his last return a pivotal point in history. It marked a transition from initial exploration to the more structured and aggressive endeavors that would follow in the century to come. The journey had equipped him with invaluable experiences, which would be referenced in subsequent undertakings by European explorers.