Founded in 500 BC on the top of a mountain in the centre of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Monte Albán functioned as the capital of the Zapotecs from the beginning of their era until 800 AD. C. At its time of greatest development, Monte Albán had about 35,000 inhabitants, who mostly lived on the terraced slopes of the mountain dedicated to agriculture. The archaeological zone of Monte Albán was declared by UNESCO together with the Historic Center of the City of Oaxaca as Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 11, 1987. A museum, a restaurant, and a shop can be found at the site.