Columbus Scavenger Hunt (based on the "Ahoy, Columbus!" article in Instructor, October 2002)

1. Christopher Columbus was born in this country: _________________. After he became an experienced sailor he visited many of Europe's kings and queens to ask for support (money) to go exploring. What country agreed to pay for his famous voyage?

______________________________ (Click on: www.nmm.ac.uk/education/fact_files/fact_columbus.html)

2. In 1492, Columbus set off west across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a new trade route to the Far East (the source of valuable spices, silks, and luxuries). Columbus actually landed on an island in the Bahamas which he renamed ____________________________ . He and his men were met by the local ____________________ Indians, many of whom were captured by Columbus' men and later sold into __________________________. (Click on: www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/columbus.shtml)

3. Before steam power, ocean travel was slow and difficult. On a typical day, the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria sailed a total of approximately ______________ miles. (Click on: www1.minn.net/~keithp/ships.htm)

4. After 34 days at sea, many sailors wanted to turn back. They thought the world was _______________ and were afraid of ________________________ . Columbus convinced them to wait. The next day they saw ___________________ in the water and knew land was nearby. (Click on: www.castellobanfi.com/features/story_3.html)

5. When Columbus first came to what he called the New World, people had lived in the Americas for __________________________________________________________ of years. (Click on: www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/a-America/america.html)

6. Columbus and the Europeans who followed him brought new technologies, ideas, plants, and animals to the Americas. Name one of each: ____________________________________________________________________________ (Click on: www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/e-Eur.claims.Amer/eur.claims.amer.html)

7. Europeans also brought new diseases with them that killed many Native Americans. Name two: __________________________  and ______________________ . The natives introduced the Europeans to corn, potatoes and other vegetables. They also introduced the Europeans to something that still causes many people health problems today: ____________________  (Click on: www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/Explorers/Explorers.htm)

8. Revisit any of the sites above. Read and record interesting facts you find below: