Characters in Spanish novels

early 16th century novel

novel by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo

fictional character

Basque military leader and priest (1842-1926)

Calafia, or Califia, is the fictional queen of the island of California, first introduced by 16th century poet Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo in his epic novel of chivalry, Las sergas de Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandián), written around 1510. She is the namesake of the California region encompassing the U.S. state of California and the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur.