Beginning in a Book

The word "California" was used in a popular 16th century series of books written by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo. The Spanish author wrote Las Sergas de Esplandian in 1510, continuing from his 4 part 1508 classic, Amadis de Gaula.
The 5th book in the series, Las Sergas, or, "The Deeds of Esplandian", chronicles the exploits of Esplandian, son of the original hero, Amadis from Gaul. In the continuation, Eplandian describes the seige of Constantinople,where among his allies were the Californians, a race of black Amazonians ruled by Queen Calafia. The island of California had steep cliffs and rocky shores, there was a great rouggedness to the country. no metal ore less than Gold on the land. The Queens women had strong hardy bodies,were ardent in courage and great force. Scantly clad and commandering, they rode griffins, murdered men, and fought with Gold armory.

The16th century held Spanish, Porteguese, French, English, and Russian explorers to sail New World oceans blue.