born between 31 October 1450 and 30 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a genoese explorer, navigator, and colonizer, born in the republic of genoa (today part of Italy). Under the auspices of the catholic monarchs of spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements on the island ofHispaniola, initiated the spanish colonization of the new world.