The World According to Columbus c. 1490

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Simeon Netchev
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published on 01 October 2021
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A map illustrating Christopher Columbus’s image of the world before his first voyage in 1492. It was based on a map by the Italian scholar Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli, which depicted the Earth as about 25% smaller than it actually is, exaggerated the reach of Asia to the east, and ignored the (correct) measurements of Eratosthenes from some 1700 years earlier. Columbus compounded these errors with his own wishful thinking and faulty mathematical assumptions. By his estimate, Asia (specifically, Japan, or Cipangu) lay only 2,500 miles (about 4,000 kilometers) west of Spain, an achievable distance for the ships of the time - he was mistaken by roughly 8,000 miles (around 13,000 kilometers).

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2021, October 01). The World According to Columbus c. 1490. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14664/the-world-according-to-columbus-c-1490/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The World According to Columbus c. 1490." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 01, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14664/the-world-according-to-columbus-c-1490/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The World According to Columbus c. 1490." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 01 Oct 2021. Web. 21 Feb 2025.

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