Christopher Columbus astronomy, and history. He formulated a plan to seek a western sea passage to the East Indies, hoping to profit from the lucrative spice trade. After years of lobbying, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain agreed to sponsor a journey west, in the name of the Crown of Castile. Columbus left Spain in August 1492 with three ships, and after a stopover in the Canary Islands made landfall in the Americas on 12 October (now celebrated as Columbus Day). His landing place was an island in the Bahamas, known by its native inhabitants as Guanahani; its exact location is uncertain. Columbus
Elections in Chile Elections in Chile Chile holds nationwide presidential, parliamentary, regional and municipal elections. The electoral process is supervised by the Electoral Service ("Servicio Electoral"), which is independent from the government. Winners are officially proclaimed by the Election Examining Tribunal ("Tribunal Calificador de Elecciones"), which is composed of four members of Chile's Supreme Court and one former legislator chosen by the Court. All citizens of Chile as well as foreigners residing legally in Chile for at least five years, who are at least 18 years of age on the day of the election, are eligible to vote. Enrollment in Chile is automatic