The name Zacatecas comes from the Nahuatl, zacatl meaning grass and co meaning place: "place where the grass is plentiful". The city of Zacatecas, it's capital and largest city, has grown up around rich silver-mining operations, although the other minerals are also extracted from the area including gold, mercury, copper and iron ore. Another important economic activity of the state is the raising of cattle on it's outlying ranches.It's indigenous peoples are fine artists and craftsmen; their wares include embroidered textiles, leatherwork, carved wood and jewellry made with semiprecious stones.

50 kms to the south-east of Zacatecas City is the La Quemada archaeological site and museum. This highly fortified, terraced and hilltop site was built on an important north-south trading route of the Mesoamericans. It is thought that the settlement reached its height about 900 - 1000 A.D. The on-site museum exhibits artifacts from the most important sites of the State of Zacatecas.
Guadelupe is almost part of Zacatecas City and a good and easy sidetrip from the city via cab or bus. Of note here are the Franciscan convent and church with it's 19 C. Capilla de Napoles (Naples Chapel), a highly gilded construction in the shape of a cross. It also houses the Viceroyalty Museum of Guadalupe exhibiting art of the colonial era. Next to the convent is the Museo Regional de Historia (Regional History Museum) exhibiting a number of period carriages and antique cars from all over the country. Guadelupe also boasts a Silversmith school, the Centro Platero de Zacatecas, with a number of silver workshops in operation.
The city of Zacatecas is a rose-colored colonial jewel sandwiched between craggy mountains and outcroppings that since 1548, when the settlement was founded, have rendered silver from it's mining operations. Its growth naturally spread along the course of the "Arroyo de la Plata" or Silver Stream at the bottom of ravine. The city is a maze of narrow and twisting streets that seem to slither up the hillsides and its situation and architecture make it one of Mexico's most beautiful colonial cities. For more information about mexican culture, we recommended Spanish programs for foreigners as an entrance to this language and way of life.