Cristóbal Colón y el descubrimiento de América, Tomo 1 - Historia de la geografía del nuevo continente y de los progresos de la astronomía náutica en los siglos XV y XVI

"Cristóbal Colón y el descubrimiento de América, Tomo 1" by Alexander von Humboldt is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This work examines the geographical history and nautical astronomy related to the discovery of the New World, particularly focusing on the 15th and 16th centuries when significant exploration took place. The book delves into the intellectual movements of the time that led to the age of discovery and the impact these explorations had on European perspectives and knowledge of geography. The opening of the work introduces the profound significance of the 15th century as a transitional period between the Medieval and Modern worlds. Humboldt discusses the collective intellectual efforts of Portuguese and Spanish explorers that enhanced geographical knowledge, the development of nautical astronomy, and ultimately led to the discoveries of new territories. By citing historical figures and geographic advancements, he sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the motivations, routes, and innovations of the explorers, including Columbus himself, and examines how these endeavors reshaped the understanding of the globe and human civilization. (This is an automatically generated summary.)