In Episode 1 of "Nations Unveiled: The Formation of the Modern World," we explore the discovery of the New World in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. This episode details the motivations behind European exploration, including the search for new trade routes to Asia, and how Columbus’s voyage, sponsored by Spain, led to the unexpected discovery of the Americas. The episode highlights the profound consequences of this event, including the Columbian Exchange, the impact on indigenous populations, and the beginnings of European colonization, which set the stage for the formation of modern nations in the Americas.