At this point in his life, he could neither read nor write. He set about to learn these skills and to study geography and navigation. He continued to sail and became an expert navigator. During this period, Columbus believed that the best route to Asia was west, across the Atlantic Ocean.

For many years he attempted to raise money for an expedition to prove his theories. He was finally successful when Queen Isabella of Spain provided the funds. In August of 1492, he left Spain with 90 men in three ships: Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria.

For nearly two months the ships sailed west. On October 10, Columbus’s crew demanded that he turn back. He agreed to turn back in two more days if land were not sighted. On the morning of October 12, they spotted land; an island in the Caribbean that Columbus named San Salvador. He stayed in the area for 3 months, searching for the mainland of Asia and returned home disappointed.

Although he made three more voyages across the Atlantic, opening the American continents to the exploration, exploitation and colonization, Columbus died in 1506 still believing he had found some unknown part of Asia.