The territory was named Carolina, honoring Charles the First ("Carolus" is Latin for "Charles"). North Carolina was inhabited prior to European contact by many native tribes that shared some cultural traits but were distinguished by regional differences and linguistic variations of Iroquoian, Siouan, and Algonquian. Probably the first European exploration of North Carolina occurred during summer of 1524, by Florentine navigator, Giovanni da Verrazano. From 1540 to 1570 several Spanish explorers sailing up from Florida’s Gulf explored some of North Carolina, with no permanent settlements established. An attempt to colonize America was begun in the 1580's by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Walter Raleigh, but the first colony, established in 1585, by Ralph Lane, did not succeed. A second expedition by John White arrived near Hatteras, June, 1587. White returned to England for provisions. Returning in 1590, he found only remnants of his settlement; no can explain the disappearance of the colony and settlers.
