Located less than 40 miles south of Stockholm, Nynäshamn is a frequent jumping-off point and stopover destination for cruise ships and ferries servicing the region. Commerce in the area began to increase with the construction of a rail line to Stockholm constructed in the early 20th century. Once a flourishing spa town (it hosted the Olympic sailing regatta in 1912), Nynäshamn ceased to function as much of a tourist draw in and of itself following the construction of industrial facilities and an oil refinery prior to the end of World War I.