Mazatlán

/mah'sah tlahn"/, n.

a seaport in S Sinaloa, in W Mexico. 169,500.

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Port city (pop., 2000: 327,989), southwestern Sinaloa state, north-central Mexico.

It occupies a peninsula overlooking Olas Altas Bay on the Gulf of California. It is Mexico's largest Pacific Ocean port, and its island-studded harbour is known for its fine sandy beaches. Lying diagonally across the gulf from the tip of Baja California, it provides a communications link between Baja and the mainland. Mazatlán, called the "Pearl of the Pacific," is a fishing centre and a popular tourist resort.

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▪ Mexico

 Pacific port and resort, southwestern Sinaloa state, western north-central Mexico. It occupies a peninsula overlooking Olas Altas Bay, on the Gulf of California. It is Mexico's largest Pacific Ocean port, and its island-studded harbour is known for its fine sandy beaches. Lying diagonally across the gulf from the tip of Baja California, it provides a chief communications link between the peninsula and the mainland. It is also accessible by railroad, highway, and air. Mazatlán, called Pearl of the Pacific, is a fishing and hunting centre and a popular tourist resort. Pop. (1980) 199,830.

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