ABSTRACT
On the morning of October 12, 1492, Columbus, the Pinzón brothers, and selected crew members stepped onto a beach in the Caribbean. This event signaled an end to the 12,000 physical and social isolation between this part of the western hemisphere and the rest of the planet. After taking possession of the island for Spain, Columbus interacted with the local native population, Lucayans, trading trinkets for food and numerous objects made by the islanders. The next day, Columbus explored the small island he named San Salvador, which the natives call Guanahaní. Thinking the Asian mainland existed only a short distance to the west, he called the people, Indios.
