... reach Asia by sailing around Africa, Columbus thought the most easy way was sailing due west. Many people in the 1400's relied on a map of the world made by Ptolemy, a geographer and astronomer in Alexandria, Egypt. This map showed that most of the world was covered by land. Christopher Columbus had based his plan on two major miscalculations. First, he underestimated the ... ...

• Word Count: 1328
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... Mediterranean Sea, and to West Africa (see Appendix B). In his youth he wanted to find easier ways to trade. Columbus thought of reaching Asia by sailing West. He worked with a map maker, and "Became obsessed with the idea of reaching the Spice Islands via Western route", (Sources of the West, 187). This is a goal he hoped to accomplish when he became ... ...

• Word Count: 2298
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School