California Missions

California Missions are a series of 21 religious outposts established by Spanish missionaries between 1769 and 1833 along the California coast. Their primary purpose was to spread Christianity among Indigenous peoples and to secure Spain's claim to the territory. Each mission was typically centered around a church and included agricultural and community facilities. They played a significant role in the cultural and economic development of California, influencing local architecture, agriculture, and social structures. Today, many missions are historical sites, reflecting the complex history of colonization and the interactions between European settlers and Native American communities.