Abstract

This paper deals with the second stage of Spanish explorations in the Californian area and the Northern Pacific coast focusing on their cartographical results The stategic attention to protect the way to the Philippines and the Spice Islands caused new reconnaissances North of California which triggered several fantasies about the alleged Anian Strait which supposedly connected both sides of the ocean in the polar latitudes After illusion of the supposed voyages led by Fuca and Ferrer was over interest focused on the exploration along the outer coast of the California peninsula in order to discover some bases for the Manila gelleon s return Interest in that area was proven by Vizcaino s expeditions but the search for pearls carried out by Cardona and others was a failure