To try to colonize the area. Spain had several anchorages on the Pacific coast of North America, and these were later raided by British privateers.
Spain sent missionaries because they want to convert people to their religion, explore new lands, make colonies or become rich.
The Spanish sent missionaries to the Pacific Coast and the Southwest primarily to spread Christianity among Indigenous populations. This was part of their broader colonial strategy that aimed to exert control over these regions while converting Native Americans to Catholicism. Missionaries established missions as centers for religious education, agricultural development, and cultural assimilation, often working alongside colonial authorities to solidify Spain's presence in these territories. Additionally, the missions served as a means to facilitate Spanish settlement and economic exploitation of the land.
Spain's intention was to not only colonize the Native Americans but also to evangelize them. They believed that the Natives would be more peaceful as Christians.
The Franciscans.
Spain
Southwest, on the Pacific Coast. Borders with Mexico to the south.
California is further southwest but is not in the Southwest. It is a Pacific Coast state.
No on both counts. California is a Pacific Coast State. New Mexico is a Southwestern State. Maryland is a Mid Atlantic State.
the Vancouver Canucks, a southwest Pacific coast
Oxnard, CA is located in the southwest region of California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
southwest,southeast,north central,northeast
Off the coast and southwest of Spain.