Zacatecas (city)

Zacatecas
City and municipality
Cathedral of Zacatecas and main street
Miguel Auza Square
Quinta Real and aqueduct
St. Francis Monastery (now Rafael Coronel Museum)
Official seal of Zacatecas
Nickname(s): 
Civilizadora del Norte
Ciudad de Cantera
Corazón de Plata
Map
Zacatecas is located in Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas is located in Mexico
Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Coordinates: 22°46′25″N 102°34′25″W / 22.77361°N 102.57361°W / 22.77361; -102.57361
CountryMexico
StateZacatecas
Founded1548
Municipal Status1825
Government
 • Municipal PresidentMiguel Ángel Varela Pinedo (2024-2027) (PAN PAN)
Area
 • Municipality356.14 km2 (137.51 sq mi)
Elevation
(of seat)
2,440 m (8,010 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Municipality138,444
 • Density390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Postal code (of seat)
98000
Area code492
Website(in Spanish) /Official site
Official nameHistoric Centre of Zacatecas
TypeCultural
CriteriaII, IV
Designated1993 (17th session)
Reference no.676
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean

Zacatecas (Spanish pronunciation: [sakaˈtekas] ) is the principal city within the municipality in Mexico of the same name, and the capital of the state of Zacatecas. Located in north-central Mexico,[1] the city had its start as a Spanish mining camp in the mid-16th century. Native Americans had already known about the area's rich deposits of silver and other minerals. Due to the wealth that the mines provided, Zacatecas quickly became one of the most important mining cities in New Spain. The area saw battles during the turbulent 19th century, but the next major event was the Battle of Zacatecas during the Mexican Revolution when Francisco Villa captured the town, an event still celebrated every anniversary. Today, the colonial part of the city is a World Heritage Site, due to the Baroque and other structures built during its mining days. Mining still remains an important industry.[2] The name Zacatecas is derived from the Zacateco people and has its roots in Nahuatl. The name means "people of the grasslands".[3]

  1. ^ Mendizabal, José Antonio (May 21, 2000). "Zacatecas: Esculturalmente arquitectonica" [Zacatecas:Sculpturally architectural]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. p. 29.
  2. ^ "Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Estado de Zacatecas Zacatecas" (in Spanish). Mexico: INAFED. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  3. ^ "Zacatecas: Artistica y tradicional" [Zacatecas:Artistic and traditional]. Reforma (in Spanish). Mexico City. March 9, 1997. p. 6.