The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century. For the Eastern Hemisphere, it introduced new crops like potatoes and maize, which significantly improved food security and agricultural diversity. Conversely, the Western Hemisphere experienced the introduction of livestock and European diseases, which had devastating effects on Indigenous populations. Overall, the exchange drastically transformed societies, economies, and ecosystems on both sides of the Atlantic.
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