|
|
|
California Name Origin:
California state quarter featuring John Muir, a California condor, Half Dome,
a giant sequoia tree, and captions of "John Muir" and "Yosemite Valley" -
public domain image on Wikipedia - see all 50 state quarters
What does the word California mean? The name California originates from the Spanish conquistadors, taken from "Las Serges de Esplandian," a Spanish romance written about 1510 which describes an imaginary island; an earthly paradise. Baja California (lower California - now in Mexico) was first visited by the Spanish in 1533. Present-day California was called Alta California (upper California).
Sebastián Vizcaíno (1548-1624) - Spanish explorer, entrepreneur, soldier, and diplomat who traveled to New Spain, the Philippines, the Baja California peninsula, Alta California, and Japan (public domain image on Wikipedia)
|
|
|
|
|
Source:
|
California State Library
|
Links:
|
|
State Symbols USA is a nonprofit organization promoting
appreciation for our natural treasures and cultural heritage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
