Zacatecas (sä' kȦ-tā' kȦs), capital of the Mexican state of that name, lies in a deep valley or ravine, somewhat over 300 miles from the City of Mexico. It is built over a vein of silver which has been deeply explored. The streets are somewhat narrow and crooked, but it has a fine appearance from a distance, owing to the size and massiveness of its churches and the elegance of many of its residences. Population 32,856; of the state 447,265.