On top, is something like the map Columbus used. As you can see, he thought if he traveled about 3000 miles west, he might find land, like Cipangu (Japan). And he was correct. Only he left out about another 3000 miles of the Earth's circumference (i.e. North and South America). Among others (like the Maya), the Greek, Eratosthenes of Cyrene (276 BC - 194 BCE), had already measured the circumference to within 16% accuracy.
Here is a link to a map detailing the islands that were stops for Columbus: http://imgace.com/pic/tag/the-indiginous-people-columbus-found-on-the-domican-republic-island-were-lucayan-taino-or-arawak/
