WHAT ARE THE NATURAL COMPONENTS OF ZACATECAS? - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The natural components of Zacatecas are its geography, climate, flora, fauna, hydrography and natural resources, which together make up the ecosystems and environments of the region.

Zacatecas is a state located in the north-central zone of Mexico, it has an area of ​​77 thousand square kilometers, which makes it the eighth largest state in the country.

Despite its large size, Zacatecas is the eighth least populated state with 1,700,000 inhabitants. The low number of people with respect to its surface is mainly due to its desert climate, its low rainfall and its poor hydrography.

Components and natural resources of Zacatecas

A considerable part of the surface of Zacatecas is part of the Chihuahuan desert, which is characterized by arid, dry climates and fairly low levels of rainfall.

The state is divided into 4 geographic regions: The Sierra Madre Oriental, La Masa del Centro, The Sierra Madre Occidental and the neo volcanic axis.

The northern zone of Zacatecas has extremely hard and not very fertile soil where agriculture is difficult to develop.

However, in the southern zone, conditions are more favorable, making agriculture one of the important economic activities of the state. 27% of the state surface is used for agriculture.

Geography

Zacatecas is located in the central plateau of Mexico, which gives its relief many mountains and hills, although only 3 of these exceed 3,000 meters.

Although the state is located between a plateau and a desert, there are several types of soils such as scrub, grasslands, forests and jungles.

Weather

The general climate of the area qualifies as dry semi-desert. However, there are 4 climatic regions that cover dry desert, semi-desert, sub-humid and semi-dry climates.

It is in the Sierra Madre Occidental area where a slightly rainy and tropical (sub-humid) climate is observed, in the other areas the climate is much drier.

Flora

Dry climate plains abound, such as shrubs (which cover 30% of the state), cacti and aloe vera. Pine trees and coniferous forests can also be found in areas with higher altitude and rainfall.

Fauna

As in many parts of Mexico, Zacatecas features astonishing animal biodiversity. Deer, bears, cougars, coyotes, eagles, snakes, rams, and turkeys are found in this state.

Despite having a dry climate, Zacatecas has several sources of water in sufficient quantity for these species to survive.

Natural resources

Mining is another important economic activity in this region, especially thanks to its silver, copper and zinc deposits.

As for agriculture and livestock, it is possible to find corn, beans, oats, barley, and cattle, sheep and pigs.

Hydrography

Hydrography is quite scarce, there are very few rivers and deep water channels and an important channel.

Furthermore, Zacatecas has no access to the sea. This factor hinders the practice of agriculture, since some of the most important hydrographic reserves are found underground in aquifers and deep wells.

References

1. Hydrology of the State of Zacatecas (sf). Retrieved on December 4, 2017, from Para todo México.
2. Mining in Zacatecas (sf). Retrieved on December 4, 2017, from El Clima.
3. Álvaro García (November 17, 2016). Mega-mining, natural resources and the future of Zacatecas. Retrieved on December 4, 2017, from LJZ.
4. Climate, flora and fauna of Zacatecas (nd). Retrieved on December 4, 2017, from El Clima.
5. The Agriculture of Zacatecas (nd). Retrieved on December 4, 2017, from NTR Zacatecas.