The first people appeared on the territory of modern America 20-25 thousand years ago. They crossed here from Chukotka through the frozen Bering Strait in winter. After that, they developed completely independently of the inhabitants of Asia and Europe. About 14 thousand years ago, the ancient settlers were divided into two groups. The first settled the modern territory of North America, the second-went far to the south and founded settlements on the territory of South America. According to many scientists, after that there were several more waves of migrations from the territory of modern Japan and the Pacific coast of Asia. This happened about 12-14 thousand years ago. All the tribes formed on the territory of North America led an autonomous way of life from each other and periodically fought among themselves. The first discovery of America by Europeans, contrary to popular belief, is considered to be the campaign of the Viking Leif Erikson. It was he who first discovered Greenland, Baffin Land, the Labrador Peninsula and Newfoundland. The settlements founded by the Vikings, in which they stayed for the winter, eventually fell into disrepair. The Discovery of America by Columbus The discovery of America by Columbus took place in October 1492 as part of a Spanish expedition. Among the first discoveries were Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Other Europeans followed him