Zitácuaro, city, northeastern Michoacán estado (state), west-central Mexico, near the border of México state. It is on the western slopes of the Zitácuaro Mountains, at 6,549 feet (1,996 metres) above sea level. Zitácuaro was the scene of 19th-century battles, both in the wars for independence from Spain and during the French intervention. The city is now a commercial and manufacturing centre, distributing livestock, corn (maize), wheat, barley, coffee, fruits, and lumber from much of the state to the major urban markets at Mexico City, Toluca, and Celaya. Zitácuaro is accessible by highway, railroad, and air. Pop. (2005) 78,821; (2010) 84,307.