Acapulco

Port and holiday resort in southwest Mexico, on the Pacific coast; population (2000 est) 722,500. The city lies in Guerrero state 310 km/193 mi southwest of Mexico City. It has a sheltered harbour and is one of the leading Mexican tourist resorts on what is known as the ‘Mexican Riviera’, attracting many visitors to its beaches, luxury hotels, and casinos. There is deep-sea fishing, and exports include cotton, sugar cane, coffee, tropical fruit, sesame seeds, and tobacco.

Acapulco was founded in 1550, and became a base for Spanish trade with western Asia, especially the Philippines. It remained Mexico's major Pacific coastal port until around 1815. In 1997 the city suffered severe damage from Hurricane Pauline.