The California Mission System was a series of 21 religious outposts established by Spanish missionaries between 1769 and 1833. These missions aimed to convert the local Indigenous populations to Christianity and promote Spanish culture. Each mission was typically centered around a church and included agricultural lands, workshops, and living quarters for the missionaries and Indigenous people. The missions were part of a broader effort by Spain to colonize and control the California region. Notable missions include Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first mission, and Mission San Juan Capistrano, famous for its swallows. The system significantly impacted California's history, culture, and demographics.