Panoramic view of Barcelona and the fleets taken to mark the 1888 World's Fair.

In 1888, Spain hosted its first World's Fair. Although the exhibitions were entertaining, they mainly had the potential to improve the city's international standing. It shouldn't be forgotten that they also had an economic purpose, since contracts were agreed and trade links established during these fairs. They were also competitions, and a pretext for making significant changes to a city and updating its infrastructure. And improvements were made in Barcelona, especially to its port, Ciutadella Park (with construction of the Great Palace of Industry and Commerce, Martorell Museum, and greenhouse), the Arc de Triomf (triumphal arch), and the Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas Pavilion, where a group of Filipino women rolled cigars to demonstrate the tobacco manufacturing process.

The fair also showcased Barcelona's industrial development. The print offers a panoramic view of the entire port infrastructure, with buildings to be used as warehouses; the extended east and west docks; the Muralla, Drassanes, and Sant Bertran inner docks; the Barcelona dock; and the Almacenes Generales del Depósito (General Deposit Warehouses ).