Manzanillo is the largest deep-water port on the western coast of Mexico and one of its major cultural and economic influences. It was first settled by the Spanish in 1522 and was used as a departure point for Spanish expeditions of Baja and northern Mexico. One of the expeditions lead to the discovery of 'Alta,' now known as California. As an important seaport, Manzanillo opened the first telegraph office on the Pacific coast in 1869. By 1890, the train service made coast-to-coast travel possible, boosting the commercial significance of the port. Manzanillo grew as a tourist destination in the early 1970's and is now one of Mexico's largest Pacific coastal resorts. It is often regarded as the "Sailfish Capital of the World," and hosts major fishing tournaments in November and February with prizes reaching thousands of dollars. Today Manzanillo handles around 500 vessels a year with major cruise ships mixing with cargo vessels of all kinds.