Christopher Columbus' primary purpose for exploration was to identify a faster route for trading goods. Based on this world map from 1492, what did Columbus believe he had discovered?
Unfortunately, without the specific world map from 1492, it is impossible to accurately determine what Christopher Columbus believed he had discovered. However, based on historical record, Columbus believed that he had discovered a new route to Asia, specifically the East Indies (which included modern-day Indonesia, Malaysia, and India). This belief was rooted in the prevailing idea at the time that the Earth was much smaller than it actually is, leading Columbus to believe that sailing westward would be a faster and more direct route to reach Asia.
Christopher Columbus believed that he had discovered a new route to Asia, specifically to the East Indies, which were known for their valuable spices, such as pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
