How was the Spanish mission system in Alta CA organized?

Answer 1

The Spanish mission system in Alta California was organized primarily through a series of 21 missions established along the California coast from San Diego to Sonoma. Each mission was typically located about a day's travel apart and served as religious and agricultural centers, aimed at converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity and European agricultural practices. The missions were overseen by Franciscan friars, who managed the spiritual, educational, and economic aspects of the missions, while also interacting with local Native American populations. This system was part of Spain's broader efforts to colonize and secure territorial claims in the region during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.