The 8 Main Economic Activities of Zacatecas

The main economic activities of Zacatecas they are mining, agriculture and tourism. The generation of economic resources to meet the needs of the population depends to a greater extent on these..

Zacatecas is a state of Mexico that is characterized by having large deposits of silver and other minerals, for its colonial architecture and for being the cradle of great characters that marked the history of the Mexican Revolution..

In a territorial extension of 75,040 km², Zacatecas has 4 geographic regions with marked contrasts (climate, vegetation, soil and fauna). This allows mining, agricultural and livestock exploitation as a fundamental part of its economy.

Most important economic activities in Zacatecas

1. Mining

It is the economic activity par excellence in the region. Zacatecas is the main silver producer worldwide and the first zinc producer in Latin America. 

The extraction of these minerals is mainly concentrated in the municipalities of Fresnillo and Sombrerete.

One of the difficulties that the Zacatecan mining suffers is that the added value of the production takes place outside the region. This reduces the activity to extraction alone, contributing only 5% to the state GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Additionally, within this heading, the extraction of gold, mercury, lead, iron, antimony, salt, bismuth, copper, quartz, onyx, kaolin and cadmium also stands out..

2. Agriculture

Zacatecas has important geographical areas suitable for agriculture, using an approximate of 1,303,564 hectares in this activity. It is the first national producer of beans, forage oats and chile.

In addition, this Mexican state is an important producer of corn, barley, sorghum, onion, garlic, nopal, peach, alfalfa, guava and maguey..

3. Livestock

In Zacatecas, livestock depends mainly on cattle, although sheep, pigs, goats, horses, gallinaceous birds and turkeys are also produced.. 

4. Fishing

Despite not having coastlines, the capture of aquaculture products such as: tilapia, catfish, carp and bass stands out as an important economic activity in the region..

5. Forestry

Obtaining timber forest products is also a primary economic activity characteristic of Zacatecas.

Basically pine and oak stand out in this category.

6. Manufacturing

Within secondary activities, manufacturing is a growing economic sector.

Especially the food, beverage (brewing) and tobacco industries, followed by the metal products, machinery and equipment industry.

7. Trade

The tertiary activity of commerce in Zacatecas has 48,257 companies that employ 174,368 people.

The annual salary compensation of commercial workers in this state is 72,211 Mexican pesos, a figure lower than the average received by workers from other states in the country, which is 99,114 Mexican pesos.. 

8. Tourism

The colonial communities of Zacatecas have special international recognition, which makes them a valuable tourist attraction, especially the city of Zacatecas, Guadalupe, Fresnillo, Sombrerete and Jerez de García de Salinas..

The most frequented tourist sites in Zacatecas are:

• The historic center of Zacatecas and the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, both declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
• The magical towns: Jerez de García de Salinas, Teúl de González Ortega, Sombrerete, Pinos, Nochistlán de Mejía
• The archaeological zones: There are more than 500, with La Quemada and Altavista being the most recognized.

References

1. Quarterly Indicator of State Economic Activity. (2017). In: inegi.org.mx.
2. Economic and State Information Zacatecas (s.f.). Retrieved on October 29, 2017 from: gob.mx.
3. Luna, G. (August 6, 2016). Economic Activity in Zacatecas. In: elsoldezacatecas.com.mx.
4. Pino, J. (October 25, 2012). The Regional Economy: Location of Economic Activities. In: ntrzacatecas.com.
5. Zacatecas. (October 24, 2017). In: es.wikipedia.org.