The city of Zacatecas, located in north-central Mexico, has a rich history of being a Spanish mining camp that dates back to the mid-16th century. Native Americans were already aware of the ample deposits of silver and other minerals in the area. This abundance of resources enabled Zacatecas to become one of the most important mining cities in New Spain. The 19th century was a period of much unrest and the city was the site of numerous battles. One such battle was the Battle of Zacatecas during the Mexican Revolution, which was led by Francisco Villa and is still commemorated each year. The city is now a World Heritage Site due to its Baroque and other historical structures that were built during its mining period. Mining continues to be a major part of the economy of Zacatecas, which is named after the Zacateco people and has its roots in the Nahuatl language, meaning "people of the grasslands".