Zacatecas is the capital. Lying on the central plateau, Zacatecas is a state of semiarid plains and mountains. Rainfall is light and vegetation scanty. The absence of large rivers to support irrigation has limited agriculture.
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. Low mineral prices, however, have led to the closure of many mines. Their continued resistance led to a 1546 expedition from Nueva Galicia to suppress them. The discovery of silver shortly afterward caused a silver rush that all but depopulated Nueva Galicia. Zacatecas is known for its numerous examples of baroque architecture.