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
Canada–Chile relations (at the time, the ambassador was in Argentina). Some 16 people were admitted to the embassy. After a month of hosting the Chileans, Canada (and the Chilean government) allowed for all 16 people to be sent to Canada for resettlement. From 1973 to 1990, Canada would receive approximately 7,000 Chilean nationals as refugees. In 2016, both nations celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations. Air Canada operates direct flights between Toronto and Santiago. Prime Ministerial visits from Canada to Chile Presidential visits from Chile to Canada In 1996, Canada and Chile signed a free trade agreement. In 2016, trade between Canada