Columbian Exchange

English

Alternative forms

• Columbian exchange

Etymology

First used in 1972 by American historian Alfred W. Crosby, in his eponymous work of environmental history, thereafter rapidly being adopted by other historians and journalists.

Proper noun

the Columbian Exchange (uncountable)

1. The widespread transfer of animals, plants, culture, human populations, communicable diseases, technology and ideas between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres in the 15th and 16th centuries, related to European colonization and trade after Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage.

Synonyms

• Grand Exchange

Translations

widespread transfer of animals and plants between the American and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 哥倫布大交換／哥伦布大交换 (Gēlúnbù dàjiāohuàn)

• Finnish: kolumbiaaninen vaihto
• Portuguese: Intercâmbio Colombiano m, Troca Colombiana f
• Russian: колу́мбов обме́н m (kolúmbov obmén)
• Spanish: intercambio colombino m

Further reading

• Columbian exchange on Wikipedia.Wikipedia