One of the most famous explorers in history was not born where many people think he was!

Christopher Columbus, the man who famously sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 and reached the Americas, was **originally from Italy**. He was born in the city of **Genoa**, which is now part of modern-day Italy, around the year 1451.

Many people often associate Columbus with Spain — and that makes sense, because the **Spanish monarchs**, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, funded his famous voyage. But it’s important to understand that Columbus himself was **Italian by birth**. His early life was spent learning sailing, navigation, and mapmaking along the Mediterranean coast.

Columbus had a strong desire to find a faster sea route to Asia by sailing westward. After being rejected by several European courts, he finally convinced the Spanish rulers to support his plan. This led to his historic journey across the Atlantic, which eventually connected Europe with the Americas — a major moment in world history.

While he didn’t actually reach Asia as he hoped, his voyages had a massive impact. They opened the door for European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His journey is often seen as the beginning of a new age of global exploration.

So, while Spain helped him make history, **Columbus’s homeland was Italy**. This detail reminds us how explorers and inventors often had to rely on other nations for support, even if they had great ideas.

Understanding where Columbus came from gives us a better picture of how international cooperation and ambition shaped the world we live in today.