Christopher Columbus departed from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, embarking on a voyage that would change the course of history. After years of seeking support for his expedition to discover a new route to Asia by sailing westward, Columbus secured the backing of the Spanish Crown. He set sail with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. The Canaries were chosen as the final port due to their strategic position and resources available for resupply. Columbus and his crews prepared for the challenges ahead, aware that they were entering largely unknown territories.
The departure was both exciting and tense, as the prospect of failure loomed large. Columbus had faced many obstacles in obtaining ships and crew while battling skepticism about his plans. La Gomera provided the last point of civilization before facing the vast Atlantic Ocean. After making necessary repairs and taking on provisions, Columbus left the safety of the islands for the unpredictable journey across the ocean. This venture aimed to find a new trade route to the riches of Asia, an undertaking that would eventually lead to the discovery of the Americas.
The journey initiated an era of European exploration and colonization, forever altering global interactions. It was not merely a quest for wealth but also for knowledge about territories beyond the familiar bounds of the known world. Columbus’s departure from La Gomera marked a momentous shift, away from the confines of the European continent into the vastness of the Atlantic, leading to the encounters that would define the modern age.