How did Christopher Columbus cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1492?

Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 using a fleet of three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María.21

The expedition departed from Palos, Spain, on August 3, 1492. Rather than sailing directly west, Columbus first traveled south to the Canary Islands. This route allowed the fleet to utilize the northeast trade winds for their westward journey across the Atlantic. After departing from the Canary Islands on September 6, the crew spent weeks at sea before sighting land in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492.21

Columbus’s voyage was significant for demonstrating that ships could successfully cross the Atlantic and return to Europe by leveraging prevailing wind systems. However, he remained mistaken about the geography of the region, believing he had reached the outskirts of Asia rather than encountering the Americas.21