ANSWER:
The explorers during the Columbus' time that is during the 1400s were largely looking for a sea route to Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Columbus was an "Italian explorer" who started his expedition in 1492 across the Atlantic Ocean in a hope to find a sea route to the Asian country of India.
- He wanted to set up a spice trade with India as India was known for its variety and quality of spices at that time.
- He explored to find a sea route from "Europe to Asia" but he was unsuccessful.
- In fact during his four trips in '1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502' he did discover a route to the Americas, both North and South.
- Another explorer of his time Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, also sailed to find a sea route to the Asian countries and in 1497 found one to India by travelling around "Africa’s Cape of Good Hope".