How does Columbus describe the size of Hispaniola in the "Letter of Discovery"? Smaller than England Larger than England and Scotland combined Similar to Spain in size The size of Portugal

Columbus describes Hispaniola as larger than England and Scotland combined, showcasing his fascination with the island's vastness and potential for exploration and colonization. This comparison emphasizes his excitement over the resources and opportunities he believed the New World could offer to Spain. Interestingly, Columbus's miscalculations in understanding the size of the continents led to a significant underestimation of the challenges and complexity of the lands he was encountering. He confidently presented his observations, but these early misconceptions would set the stage for myriad future explorations and complications in relations with indigenous peoples.