The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange is what we call the exchange of plants, animals, and diseases that occurred between the "old world" (Europe, Asia and Africa) and the "new world" (the Americas).

This exchange began with Christopher Columbus' voyages to the Americas and is named after him.

This graphic shows many of the plants, animals, and diseases that were exchanged between the Americas and Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

The arrow pointing to Europe includes those items that originally came from the Americas and were brought back to Europe with the explorers.

The arrow pointing to the Americas includes those items that European explorers brought with them to the Americas.