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Place Name
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Zacatecas
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Pronunciation
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sah-kah-TE-kahs
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Place Status (Type)
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state
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Capital is
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Zacatecas
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Population
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1,276,3239 (1990)
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Location
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Zacatecas, Mexico, North America
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Latitude
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21°04'N
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Longitude
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100°48'W
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Zacatecas
(sah-kah-TE-kahs), state (
28,125 sq mi/72,844 sq km; 1990
pop. 1,276,3239), N central Mexico;  Zacatecas; 21°04'N
100°48'W. Lying on the central plateau, Zacatecas is a state of
semiarid basins and mountains. The Sierra Madre Occidental dominates
the W ½, and a transverse spur (often over
10,000 ft/3,048 m high) of the same range,
divides the state from W to E. Rainfall is light and vegetation sparse.
The absence of large rivers limits irrigated agr. Cattle raising is a
major activity, but the greatest industry is mining. With gold, silver,
mercury, copper, iron, zinc, lead, bismuth, antimony, and salt,
Zacatecas is one of Mexico's largest producers of mineral wealth. But
low mineral prices have led to closure of many mines. The discovery of
silver in 1558 caused a silver rush that led to settlement of the area.
The state is known for its numerous examples of baroque
architecture.
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