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Physical Features: Southwestern county near Mexican border; rolling plains broken by much brush; Nueces, Leona, other streams; Upper Nueces Reservoir.

Economy: Agribusiness, food packaging, leading county in Winter Garden truck-farming area, government/services.

History: Coahuiltecan area; Apaches, Comanches arrived later. Ranching developed in the late 1860s. County created from Maverick and Uvalde counties in 1858; organized in 1884; named for Texas Revolutionary leader Lorenzo de Zavala.

Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 5.1; Black, 1.2; Hispanic, 93.9; Asian, 0.2; Other, 1.2; Two or more races, 0.7.

Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 195; deaths, 111; marriages, 40; divorces, 4.

Recreation: Hunting, fishing; spinach festival in November.

Minerals: Oil, natural gas.

Agriculture: Cattle, grains, vegetables, cotton, pecans. About 44,000 acres irrigated. Market value $66.6 million. Hunting leases important.

CRYSTAL CITY (7,261) county seat; agribusiness, food processing, oil-field services; site of World War II detention center. Home of Popeye statue.

Other towns include: Batesville (1,039) and La Pryor (1,710).

Cropland along U.S. 83 at La Pryor. Photo by Robert Plocheck.