Upon first European contact in the mid 16th century, North Carolina was populated by a variety of indigenous tribes; there were two major tribes, the Costal Algonquian and the Cherokees. The Algonquian were situated mainly on the coast and they were a big fishing civilization. The Cherokee civilization lived mainly near the Appalachian mountain range and where probably encountered after they found the Algonquians. North and South Carolina were formerly one state until 1729. The known exploration of North Carolina was lead by a Spanish navigator, Giovanni da Verrazano who explored the coast but no plans of settling there were made. Then in the 1580’s the English attempts at two colonies led by Ralph lane finished in failure. A second endeavor at a settlement in North Carolina had a very mysterious result.  John White in the spring of 1587 brought over to North Carolina a couple hundred men, women and children. Things weren’t going very well therefore Mr. White had to return to England to stock up on supplies. Unfortunately Mr. White was delayed because of the attack of the Spanish Armada. White was not allowed to return until 1590. Upon his arrival he found nothing, no signs of human life just some abandoned houses and the word "CROATAN," scratched on a tree nearby. The only stable settlement in North Carolina was established by a group of settlers from southeastern Virginia. In 1663 King Charles II granted the land to eight Englishmen and North Carolina was named in honor of the King, "Carolus" in Latin but in English pronounced Carolina.