11May, 1502 the 4th expedition of Columbus sailed off

On the 11th of May 1502, 51-year-old Christopher Columbus and his brother Bartolomeo and 13-year-old son of Hernando sailed from Cadiz on the flagship vessel to the shores of the North American continent. In general, the expedition included four small caravels, managed a very mediocre crews.

The fourth voyage of the great discoverer lasted from 1502 to 1504. He tried to find a way to earlier opened way to India and China, the source of spices, but the admiral was destined to make history in a different region. Explorer discovered and noted on the world map lands inhabited by Indians - Honduras and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Coast of Panama. Making sure that the expedition would not be able to reach China, Columbus decided to turn back.

During the voyage, Columbus charted a map and kept diary. Therefore, it is known that on 25th of May the team left the Canary Islands, and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean. On the 15th of June, it reached Matinino (now Martinique). After explorers crossed the Antillean archipelago, travel map gained another point, it was Hispaniola.

After leaving Hispaniola, the sailors marched along the coast of Central America. Despite this, Columbus was still convinced that in fact they are in the area of ​​the river Ganges.

The team bought gold from guayami Indians who lived in what is now called Panama. Despite active trade, the natives fiercely resisted attempts to establish a European settlement on their lands. As a result of this opposition in June, 1503 expedition was forced to leave the lands of others. During the retreat, one caravel sank, and the remaining three hardly managed to stay afloat. Soon, however, Columbus had to leave in a sea of ​​another vessel. After wandering on the sea, Columbus discovered and mapped the Cayman Islands, then led the team to the northern shores of Jamaica. In Spain, the sailors returned in November, 1504.

Thus, Columbus discovered and pointed out on the map Central America. This man was the first who brought attention of the world public to the existence of Native American peoples living in the South Sea.