Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci

Relying on their scientists Spanish monarchs made a mistake. Contract with Columbus was signed by them in 1492. Who could have known then that there was a huge continent in the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and Asia. Ferdinand''s ignorance played a cruel joke with him. The traveler outwitted him. Later the king explained that although he believed in the spherical shape of the Earth he had no idea about its true size. After all in this matter he listened to the opinion not only of his scientists but also took into account the reports of the Florentine scientist Toscanelli. There is no doubt that Columbus was the most skilful and experienced navigator of his time. Even before his famous historical voyages he learned to use ocean currents and winds better than all his colleagues. During his voyages to England Ireland and African Guinea he noted in his diary all the sea currents that carry their waters from east to west Atlantic Ocean as well as the winds blowing in this direction. From the very beginning he knew how to reach the western Atlantic Ocean with the Canary Current and return to Europe with currents flowing near both the equator and the 30 and 40 parallels.