Between 1492 and 1521, the period saw a significant increase in the number of voyages from Europe to the Americas. Here’s a rough breakdown of the key expeditions:
1. Christopher Columbus' Voyages (1492–1504):
- Columbus made four voyages during this period, leading to the initial European contact with the Caribbean islands. He sailed in 1492, 1493, 1498, and 1502.
2. Spanish Exploration and Expansion:
Following Columbus, Spain sent numerous expeditions to further explore and settle the newly discovered territories. Key expeditions include:
- 1499–1500: Alonso de Ojeda, accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci, explored the northern coast of South America.
- 1500–1501: Pedro Álvares Cabral (Portuguese) reached Brazil.
- 1513: Juan Ponce de León explored Florida.
- 1513: Vasco Núñez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.
- 1519–1521: Hernán Cortés' expedition to Mexico resulted in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
3. Portuguese Exploration:
Portugal also sent expeditions to Brazil after Cabral’s discovery in 1500, establishing a colonial presence.
In terms of exact ship numbers, records aren’t always precise. However, we know that many explorers, settlers, and traders began frequenting the Caribbean, Central, and South American coasts during this period. By 1521, it is estimated that dozens of voyages, involving hundreds of ships, had occurred, with Spain being the dominant player in the region.
Key settlements and conquest efforts, such as the founding of Santo Domingo (1496), ensured a steady flow of ships. The early colonial expansion marked the start of a larger pattern of transatlantic voyages that accelerated through the century.
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