Final answer:
Columbus mythologized his activities by depicting the Caribbean as a miraculous and fertile land with abundant resources, especially gold. His portrayals were designed to secure further backing for expeditions and contributed to the myth of the Americas as a land of great wealth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Christopher Columbus tried to mythologize his activities in the Caribbean by portraying the lands he explored as paradisiacal and rich in resources, especially gold. In his "Letter on the First Voyage," he described Hispaniola as a "miracle...both fertile and beautiful...the harbors are unbelievably good and there are many wide rivers the majority of which contain gold." By doing so, he deliberately created an alluring image of the Caribbean to excite them in support of future expeditions. Columbus believed he had reached Asia, calling the native Taínos "Indios," a term that persists today as a misnomer for native peoples of the New World. Columbus's misrepresentation built the foundation for the myth of the Americas being a land of untold wealth and opportunity, influencing subsequent European exploration and colonization.