Answer:1451-1506
*Italian-born navigator who found fame when he landed in the Americas(Oct. 12, 1492)
*Set sail on behalf of Spain with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and his flagship, the Santa Maria
*Originally, he sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean to find a water route to Asia
*Columbus was convinced that he had found the waterway that he sought and that the Americas were actually an extension of China
*Returned from his expedition with gold, encouraging further exploration
Step-by-step explanation: