1490s in the Caribbean

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish transatlantic voyages in the name of the Catholic Monarchs, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions were the first known European contact with the Caribbean and Central and South America.

historic site in the Dominican Republic

1492–1504 voyages to the Americas; beginning of the Columbian exchange

fort on the northeast coast of Haiti

Spanish 1493-1821 possession in the Caribbean

Governor: first documented European settlement in the New World/La Navidad