Alta California Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Alta California ("Upper California") was formed in 1804 when the province of California, then a part of the Spanish colony of New Spain, was divided in two along the line separating the Franciscan missions in the north from the Dominican missions in the south. The southern part became the territory of Baja California. The two territories were also alternatively called "California Nueva" (Alta) and "California Vieja" (Baja).Alta California — covering the land occupied by the modern-day U.S states of California, Nevada, Utah, northern Arizona and southwestern Wyoming — was recognized as one of the constituent territories of the newly independent United Mexican States with the adoption of the 1824 Constitution following its War of Independence and short-lived First Empire. During the Mexican-American War of 1846–48 and following the brief interlude of the proclaimed independent California Republic, Alta California was successfully invaded by the USA. The territory was ceded to the U.S. under the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
The last Mexican Governor of California was Pío Pico, who served until 1846.