From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Alta California was formed in 1804 from the northern half of the Spanish colony of California, later becoming a Mexican territory after independence from Spain. During the Mexican-American War, Alta California was successfully invaded and annexed by the United States, becoming the American state of California in 1850.
The last Mexican Governor of California was Pio Pico, who served until 1846.
See also: Baja California, Spanish colonization of the Americas, California missions. List of California Governors
