Haciendas are structures that came to exist during the colonial era that created on parcels of land granted to high-ranking soldiers. They became one of the most defining characteristics of Novohispanic Mexico. Haciendas had different purposes such as mining and farming, or they were used as factories run by paid laborers. The purpose of these haciendas varied depending on the location. For example, the sugar and tropical farms were located in the lowlands while the grain production was mostly in the high and middle lands of the central plateau. Most are no longer used in modern times, yet they still remain an important economic symbol of the colonial era. Most haciendas today have been abandoned or repurposed, such as La Hacienda de San Gabriel de Barrera, which became a collection of gardens.