Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer who famously sailed westward across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 under Spanish patronage. His voyage marked an important milestone in European exploration efforts.
Columbian Exchange: The widespread exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres that occurred after Christopher Columbus's voyages.
Mercantilism: An economic theory prevalent during the Age of Exploration that advocated for a nation's wealth accumulation through favorable trade balances, colonial acquisitions, and protectionist policies.