Christopher Columbus embarked on his third voyage in 1498 with the main goal of finding a direct route to Asia by sailing westward. During this voyage, Columbus sailed further south than on his previous journeys, charting new waters and engaging with the lands of the Caribbean and the northern shores of South America. On July 31, 1498, he stumbled upon the island of Trinidad, located off the coast of Venezuela. This was significant as it represented Columbus's first encounter with a territory that would later be recognized as part of the South American continent.

Upon his landing, Columbus and his men were struck by Trinidad’s natural beauty, described with lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. They also encountered the local indigenous tribes, who had settled on the island. Columbus labeled the island as a part of a larger territory he believed was connected to Asia due to the thriving native populations and their rich resources. This discovery marked an important addition to European maps of the New World, broadening the understanding of the geography in the region.

In his interactions with the Trinidadian natives, Columbus documented their lifestyle, which included fishing and agriculture. His records would later inform European knowledge about the indigenous peoples and their environments. While this voyage did not lead Columbus to Asia, it solidified his reputation as a navigator and explorer, enabling further European exploration in the Caribbean and South America, eventually leading to colonization efforts in these regions.