"Based on information acquired during his travels, and by reading and studying charts and maps, Christopher concluded that the earth was 25 percent smaller than was previously thought, and composed mostly of land. On the basis of these faulty beliefs, he decided that Asia could be reached quickly by sailing west. In 1484 he submitted his theories to John II, king of Portugal, petitioning him to finance a westward crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. His proposal was rejected by a royal maritime commission because of his miscalculations and because Portuguese ships were already rounding Africa."

"Columbus, Christopher," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Read any encyclopedia. Read any history book meant for high school or higher. Read any book about Columbus himself. Not in one will you find it say that they thought the world was flat.

• Dear Rich: The True Story of Christopher Columbu - jisbond - January 14, 2001 - 05:47 UTC
  • Re: Dear Rich: The True Story of Christopher Columbu - jimbo - January 15, 2001 - 08:10 UTC
  • Looks like whoever disagreed has admited being wrong... - richard - January 18, 2001 - 17:46 UTC
    • don't know what you are talking about - jisbond - January 19, 2001 - 16:51 UTC
      • Re: don't know what you are talking about - jisbond - January 19, 2001 - 16:54 UTC
    • ah, ah, ah - gwynj - January 20, 2001 - 00:28 UTC
• Re: For any person who doubts what I said, here is a footnote - jimbo - January 15, 2001 - 08:17 UTC