Zacatecas

Mexican State

Area: 73,454sq.km/28,361sq.mi

Population: 1,336,500

The high-lying state of Zacatecas, because of its very low rainfall, has only a few rivers with constantly flowing water. It is bounded on the north by Coahuila, on the west by Durango, to the south by Jalisco and Aguascalientes and in the east by San Luis Potosí. The landscape of the state is characterised by rugged mountain ranges and sandy plateaux and the area is well-known for its rich mineral deposits. Zacatecas is inhabited predominantly by criollos (descendants of the Spanish) and mestizos, while in the area around Colotlán there are Huichol Indians. In addition there are two firmly established colonies of Mennonites who migrated from Canada in 1923, La Batea and La Honda. Besides such well-known archaeological sites as La Quemada (Chicomóztoc) and Chalchihuites there are also a number of smaller places of which Teul de González Ortega and Estación Canutillo deserve mention.

History

Zacatecas (Náhuatl: "country where zacate grass grows") was inhabited in pre-Hispanic times by various Indian tribes including the Caxcanes, Tecuexes, Hachichiles, Huicholes, Coras and Tepehuano, of whom all except the last three have disappeared. What is certain is that in the post-Classic period the area came under the cultural domination of Chalchihuites, which in turn was presumably influenced by the Toltecs. The Aztecs, who were later to rule in central Mexico, came southwards from the north-west and therefore probably never reached this region.

The Spanish, led by Pedro Almíndez Chirinos, who arrived after the Conquista in search of precious metals, soon found themselves locked in conflict with the Indians. With the help of tribes who were later pacified, the first rich silver mines were discovered around the present state capital. The exploitation of the mines brought prosperity to the state and this expressed itself in the construction and lavish fitting-out of both sacred and secular buildings. During the Reform War (1858-61) and the Revolutionary War (1910-20) the whole of the state, and above all certain of its towns, were the scene of bloody fighting.

Economy

Zacatecas is one of the richest states in Mexico for minerals; the most significant deposits are those of gold, silver, copper, zinc, mercury and lead. Industry in the state is limited to the smelting of ores and the processing of sugar-cane, agaves, wool and cotton. Compared with cattle-rearing, which is of considerable importance, agriculture plays a lesser role, cereals, sugar-cane and maguey-agaves being the main crops. Tourism is steadily growing.

Sights

As well as the state capital, Zacatecas, and nearby places such as La Quemada (Chicomóztoc), Jérez García de Salinas and Fresnillo deserve mention.