Here's why:

* Abundance of Silicon and Oxygen: Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements in the Earth's crust. Silicates are essentially compounds of these two elements, often with additional elements like aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and others.

* Wide Variety: Silicates come in many forms, ranging from common quartz and feldspar to more complex minerals like mica and clay. This diversity allows them to form a wide variety of rocks.

* Formation Conditions: Silicates are stable under a wide range of geological conditions, from the surface to deep within the Earth.

While other mineral groups like carbonates, oxides, and sulfides are important, they are far less abundant than silicates.