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Acapulco[Ak´´upool´kO] Pronunciation Key, city (1990 pop. 515,374), Guerrero state, S Mexico. A fashionable resort since the 1920s, it is known for its lavish hotels, deep-sea fishing, and skin diving. Its natural harbor, surrounded by cliffs and promontories, was a base for Spanish exploration of the Pacific and was key in trade with the Philippines; the city was founded in 1550. The Spanish built (1614) the San Diego fort to guard the harbor. Today tourism and related industries dominate the economy, and workers' hill towns have expanded on its periphery. Acapulco has suffered frequent earthquake and hurricane damage.
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