When Columbus arrived in America, where did he believe he had arrived?

When Columbus arrived in America, he believed he had reached the Far East. His primary goal was to find a new route to Asia for trade, specifically to access spices and other valuable goods. Columbus had underestimated the size of the Earth and mistakenly thought that by traveling westward, he could reach Asia more directly. He referred to the islands he encountered as the Indies, which reflects his belief that he was close to India and the surrounding regions of East Asia. His misidentification of the new lands is a notable aspect of his voyages and had lasting implications for the subsequent exploration and colonization of the Americas.