The document provides background information on the Spanish missions in California. It discusses how the missions were established by Franciscan missionaries to colonize the Pacific coast and convert Native Americans to Christianity, though they met resistance from many tribes. It also describes the typical layout of the missions, with churches, presidios (forts), and towns, and details some of the industries and way of life within the missions. Problems establishing the missions included a lack of Spanish resources, which led them to implement the mission system to build a new Spanish citizenry by introducing religion, language, and intermarriage to the indigenous population.