Mazatlán is a city in the state of Sinaloa, located on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. The city of Mazatlán was founded in 1531, and in the native language word Mazatlán means "place of the deer".
Until the early 19th century, Mazatlán was a humble collection of huts inhabited by indigenous peoples whose major occupation was fishing.
By the mid-1800's a large group of immigrants from Germany developed Mazatlán into a thriving commercial seaport. These new citizens started the Pacifico Brewery on March 14, 1900, as well as influenced Banda, a brass-based form of traditional Mexican music, which is an alteration of Bavarian folk music.
Mazatlán's lighthouse (El Faro) began to shine by mid-1879. The lamp had been handcrafted in Paris, containing a large oil lamp with mirrors and a lens to focus the light. Today, the new 1000 watt bulb can be seen for 30 nautical miles (60 km).
Near the lighthouse shore, famous "clavadistas" (divers) perform daring jumps off high cliffs into the Pacific Ocean for tips from tourists.
One of the prominent features in Mazatlán is Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Catedral Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción) located on Plaza de la Republica, in the Old Town area. The Cathedral features elements influenced by Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish motifs, and was built in the late 1800's on the site of an older Indian temple.
A popular tourist destination, with its beaches lined with resort hotels, shops and restaurants Mazatlán is Mexico's largest commercial and fishing port, and a port of call for cruise ships.
The city is highly regarded for its theatre, music and dance. Mazatlán, one of the largest timeshare providers in Mexico, also hosts one of the largest celebrations of Carnival in the world, weeklong of parades, cultural events and partying.
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