Columbus

Columbus most commonly refers to Christopher Columbus, the Genoese navigator whose transatlantic voyages, sponsored by the Crown of Castile, opened sustained contact between Europe and the Americas. Born in Genoa around 1451, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic from 1492 to 1504. On his first voyage he landed in the Bahamas, which he believed to be the eastern outskirts of Asia. His voyages initiated widespread European exploration and later colonization of the American continents; the legacy remains controversial, reflecting both exploratory achievements and the displacement of Indigenous peoples.

In geography, Columbus designates several places, especially in the United States. The best-known is Columbus, Ohio, the state capital and largest city of Ohio. Founded in 1812 and named after Christopher Columbus, it became the state capital in 1816 and functions as a center for government, education, and industry. Other notable Colum-buses include Columbus, Georgia; Columbus, Indiana; Columbus, Mississippi; Columbus, Wisconsin; and numerous smaller towns and counties bearing the name.

Columbus is also used as a surname and given name. The term appears in various institutions, organizations, and cultural references named in honor of the explorer. The name has also influenced holidays and place-naming practices in several countries.