The city of Monterrey is located in Mexico, in the state of Nuevo León; it has about 1.1 million inhabitants distributed on 572.8 km². The Greater Monterrey metropolitan area (composed by surrounding counties or cities of Apodaca, García, General Escobedo, Guadalupe, Juárez, San Nicolás de los Garza, San Pedro Garza García, Santa Catarina, Santiago, Cadereyta, Ciénega de Flores, Pesquería and Zuazua) add another 2.5 million, making the total estimated population (as of 2005) to be 3.6 million. The Monterrey metropolitan area is the third most populous in Mexico but the second largest in area and most important urban center after the capital.
Cerro de la Silla
Monterrey is located at [25°40′N 100°18′W], and 530 meters above the sea level (downtown). The Santa Catarina River bisects the city. Although this river is dry for most of the year, it flows after occasional heavy rains.
Monterrey, also known as "La Sultana del Norte" ("The Sultan of the North") and "La Ciudad de las Montañas" ("City of the Mountains"), has the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Latin America after San Juan, Puerto Rico. It lies at the foothill of the Sierra Madre Orientalmountain range, which seems to come to an abrupt start south of the city, i.e. the famous peak La Eme (the "M") in San Pedro Garza García. The remarkable mountains and sierras around Monterrey are limestone (calcareous), sedimentary, of biological origin; they are essentially the remains of ancient (Cretaceous and Jurassic) reefs and marine shells; fossils of these are very abundant in the local rocks. Volcanic rocks and activity do not exist in any significant amounts in these mountain ranges. A small hill, the Cerro del Topo and its smaller Topo Chico are located in the suburbs of San Nicolás de los Garza and Escobedo. West of the city rises the Cerro de las Mitras, so called because the profile of several bishops with their mitres (mitra) can be seen along its edge. East of the city, the iconic Cerro de la Silla ("Saddle Hill") dominates the view. South of the Santa Catarina river, the Loma Larga separates Monterrey from the suburb of San Pedro Garza García. North of the river, the summit of the Cerro del Obispado is the site of the historic Bishop's Palace (Obispado), where one of the most important battles in the Mexican-American War was fought.
On the transport infrastructure issue, the city is communicated by several main roads, including the Carretera Nacional (National or Panamerican Highway) that runs from Nuevo Laredo to México City and south, and the Autopista Interoceánica (Oceanic freeway) connecting Matamoros city with the port of Mazatlán on the Pacific; it is also crossed by highways 40, 45, 57. The divided highway Monterrey-Saltillo-Matehuala-Mexico City is the main land corridor to interior Mexico. There are additional, regional highways. It has at least three important railroad freight lines: Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City, Monterrey-Tampico, and Monterrey-Pacific (Mazatlán). Passenger trains to the city no longer exist. There are two international airports: General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (served by major international carriers) and Del Norte International Airport. There is no public transportation from the Mariano Escobedo Airport other than airport taxis which charge about $20 US for a one-way ride to the city. From this airport, there is a bus shuttle to nearby Saltillo [link].
There are many between-cities bus lines at the bus station downtown (avenida Colón). Buses are modern and efficient, with many arrivals and departures everyday into deeper Mexico, and to the U.S. border (Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Matamoros), and into the United States [link].
Public transportation in the city includes: a modern but limited subway system (with only two lines) [link],[link]; many city bus lines that vary very widely on the conditions of buses and service; and thousands of economical and efficient taxis. Driving in the city might be difficult for the novice; there are a million of motor vehicles in the metropolitan area, and traffic can be hectic.
Monterrey is the only metropolitan area of the country that is below the national average of criminal incidence. The Nuevo Leon state´s capital and 10 of its surrounding municipalities (Apodaca, García, San Pedro Garza García, General Escobedo, Guadalupe, Juárez, Salinas Victoria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Santa Catarina and Santiago) reported in the year 2004 to have a criminal incidence of 8,034 crimes for every 100,000 people [[Citing sources citation needed]], whereas the national average of criminal incidence was 11,246 for every 100,000 people. The metro area of Monterrey is the most secure of all major metropolitan areas of the country.
Monterrey is a major industrial center among cities in Mexico, second only to the nation's capital. As a result of its strong steel industry, it is often called "the Pittsburgh of Mexico". The city has prominent positions in sectors such as steel, cement, glass, auto parts, and beer. In 1999 Fortune magazine voted Monterrey as the best city in Latin America in which to do business. The magazine attributes its economic wealth in part to its proximity with the United States-Mexican border and mentions Monterrey as a significant city with economic links to the United States, recognized around the world for its entrepeneurial character. Monterrey is considered one of the best cities for business in the world.. Mexico Connect. [North star shines]. Retrieved February 11, 2006
Monterrey´s industrialization process was accelerated in the late 19th century by the Compañia Fundidora de Fierro y Acero Monterrey. Today, it is home of powerful conglomerates, such as Cemex (world's third largest cement company), Vitro (glass), Maseca (food), Banorte (finanical services). The FEMSA corporation owns a large brewery, the Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma (see also the baseball museum named Salon de la Fama). This brewery is possibly the largest in Mexico; it produces the brands Sol, Tecate, Indio, Dos Equis & Carta Blanca, among others. In the year 2000, the economic resources of the city accounted for more than 31.3 billion USD. By the end of 2005, there were more than 13,000 manufacturing companies, 55,000 retail stores, and more than 52,000 service firms.Weldmex [General information]. Retrieved February 11, 2006. Monterrey accounts for about 95 % of the State of Nuevo Leon's GDP, and 18% of Mexico's manufactured exports come from this city. [Monterrey, Mexico]. Retrieved February 11, 2006
The metals sector, dominated by iron and steel, accounted for 6 percent of manufacturing GNP in 1994. Country-data. [Mexico - Industry]. Retrieved February 11, 2006 The steel industry is centered in Monterrey, where the country's first steel mills opened in 1903. Steel plants in Monterrey, privatized in 1986, accounted for about half of Mexico's total steel output in the early 1990s.
Monterrey was also voted city number 87 (scoring a 92), in terms of Quality of Living, by Mercer Human Resource Consulting on 2005, on their worldwide report. This makes Monterrey the Top city in Latin America in terms of Quality of Life (which includes safety, income levels, purchasing power, education opportunities and health services). [link]
Landmarks
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La Macroplaza, in the heart of the city featuring many monuments and buildings including the Faro del Comercio.
The Barrio Antiguo, the colonial sector of the city where one can also find bars, cafés and restaurants. On November of every year the Festival Cultural Barrio Antiguo takes place in the Barrio Antiguo with national and international artists and performers.
El Río Santa Catarina: despite being called "río" (river) the Santa Catarina is pretty much dry, except for the times it rains. The river bed is now home to soccer and baseball fields, a running track and, on weekends, a market (which is more of a flea market); it is located under El Puente del Papa, which gives the market its name.
Opened in 2003, the controversial Puente Atirantado is a suspension bridge that crosses the Río Santa Catarina and joins San Pedro Garza García with Monterrey. It was highly controversial due to its cost, its design (which appears to have been cribbed from Santiago Calatrava), and the fact that the river it crosses is dry.
El Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), a pink marble Neoclassical construction where the office of the governor is located.
The Museum of Mexican History (Museo de Historia Mexicana) [link], with exhibits and collections dating from Pre-Columbian days through the early 90s. The museum features interactive displays and a large collection of pieces of Mexican history. Guided tours are available in both English and Spanish.
La Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, with its XIX century buildings and where the national Baseball Hall of Fame (Salon de la Fama) is located.
Parque Fundidora. A large, urban park including a variety of spaces: a landscaped area ideal for easy bicycle and jogging, the Cineteca (alternative cinema); the Photo Collection; the state plastic arts collection, and other exhibits and spaces: [link]
The Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey, across from the south end of la Macroplaza.
El Museo del Vidrio, [link], devoted mainly to glass art and history; remarkable, diverse and changing exhibits.
La Basílica del Roble, one of the three basilicas of the city.
A listing of these and smaller museums, in Spanish: [link]
Sightseeing around Monterrey
Grutas de Garcia - an extensive (2 km?) cave system located northwest of Monterrey in the Villa de Garcia. A scenic train-like vehicle lifts visitors to the caves' entrance hundreds of feet above, on the hill slope.
The Cola de Caballo (Horse tail) waterfall, on the mountains near the towns of Santiago and El Cercado, about 35 km. (22 miles) south.
On the way to the Cola de Caballo waterfall (Carretera Nacional going to Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas), in Santiago, the Presa Rodrigo Gomez or "La Boca" ("La Boca" Dam) [link] [link] lays nested between green hills.
On this area, before La Boca Dam, at Los Cavazos (25 km from Monterrey) there are many small, family-owned restaurants which serve Mexican and local food, produce, flowers, and candies at low prices; there are also stands of Mexican and local handcrafts and hand-made wooden and metal furniture. This area is a mercado by the road; traffic is heavy on summer Sundays.
The Carretera Nacional area south of Monterrey enjoys a relatively humid micro climate that allows the growth of lush, subtropical vegetation; this gives this area a garden-like atmosphere.
Natural Areas
The mountains around Monterrey harbor an almost endless number of canyons, trails and roads, crossing deserts and forests. These trails vary in their difficulty from super easy to those for the expert rockclimber only. The ones below are just some of the better-known, accessible ones.
Parque Ecologico Chipinque (Chipinque) [link]. This a park within the larger "Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey". Chipinque park provides protection to forested areas (oak and oak-pine mainly) that the Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey protects only in theory. Within a 10-minute drive from downtown Monterrey, it includes spectacular scenery of mountains and forests.
La Estanzuela state park. About 7 km. south from downtown on the "Carretera Nacional" highway to Cd. Victoria. Entrance road starts in front of supermarket "Soriana La Estanzuela". Follow signs. It includes a wonderful small river and forested area; access through a cobblestone road for about 1.5 miles. [link].
La Huasteca. Vertical-walled cliffs and canyons in a desert setting by the city. In Santa Catarina, west of downtown towards Saltillo.
View from the top of Cerro del Obispado towards the Huasteca.
History
''See also articles in the category
Panoramic view of San Pedro
In the mid-1500s, the area was largely unexplored by the Spanish. It was known as Extremadura Valley. Several unsuccessful expeditions led by Alberto del Canto had tried to colonize the area. An expedition led by Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva established a settlement in the area called San Luis Rey de Francia, but was frustrated by the Inquisition and the persecution of the Sephardim among the colonists. A third expedition of twelve families led by Diego de Montemayor founded Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey (Metropolitan City of Our Lady of Monterrey, now only Monterrey) on September 20, 1596, next to a spring called Ojos de Agua de Santa Lucia, where the Museum of Mexican History is now located.
During the years of Spanish Rule, Monterrey was a place that connected trade between San Antonio (nowadays in Texas), Tampico, and Saltillo and the center of the country. Tampico's port brought many products from Europe, while Saltillo concentrated the Northern Territories trade with the capital, Mexico City. San Antonio was the key trade point with the northern foreign colonies (British and French).
After the Mexican Independence War, Monterrey rose as a key economical center for the newly formed nation, especially due to its balanced ties between Europe (with its connections to Tampico), the United States (with its connections to San Antonio), and the capital (through Saltillo). However, the anarchy that followed the first 50 years of the new country allowed for two American Invasions, and a secession war. Monterrey became capital of the State of Nuevo León, which during its endeavor to become an independent country annexed the state of Coahuila.
During the last decade of the 19th Century, the city of Monterrey gained access to the railroads, which benefitted industry. It was during this period that José Eleuterio González, "Gonzalitos", founded the Colegio Civil, an early effort to create a university in Nuevo León, he also founded the Hospital Civil which is one of the best public hospitals in the northeast of Mexico nowadays, and also serves as medicine school support to the Facultad de Medicina de la UANL, making it a teaching/community-serving facility in the present.
By the mid 20th century, in a country where state-owned companies sustained the economy, Monterrey was notorious as one of the most important economic districts in the land due to its strong private sector and fierce sense of independence.
In the last decades of the 20th century, El Norte [link], a newspaper founded by Celedonio Junco de la Vega, became important due to its efforts to denounce government corruption, and due to its principles of independence in journalism. Recently, the newspaper has evolved into the national-level Grupo Reforma news group, including the original El Norte [link], Reforma in Mexico City, Mural in Guadalajara and Palabra in Saltillo. Other newspapers in Monterrey are Milenio [link] and El Porvenir [link].
In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused great damage to the city; the Santa Catarina River overflew, causing about 100 deaths and severe economic damage.
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In 2002, the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development was held in the city, with the participation of more than 50 heads of state and government as well as other ministers and senior delegates from over 150 countries. The conference resulted in the adoption of the "Monterrey Consensus", which has become one relevant reference point for international development cooperation. At the conference, the US and the EU announced new aid commitments, which added an extra $30 billion for development. This amounts to the largest increase for assistance at any international conference. Countries also reached agreements on debt relief, fighting corruption, policy coherence and increased participation of developing countries in international decision-making and norm-setting.
The event attracted some additional media attention when Cuban President Fidel Castro left the meeting before U.S President George W. Bush arrived: Castro alleged the Mexican government asked him to leave to prevent an uncomfortable encounter between the two.
In 2007, Monterrey will hold the Universal Forum of Cultures. The cost of holding this event is stirring controversy among the community.
Food
Cabrito (kid goat) is Monterrey's most popular traditional dish
Typical Monterrey cuisine includes machacado con huevo, a dish prepared with dry beef, eggs, and salsa. Perhaps the most traditional dish from Monterrey is cabrito al pastor, kid goat cooked on embers based on the Jewish cuisine of the founders of the city. Other local dishes and customs that perhaps date back to the Crypto-Judaism of these founders are the "semita" (bread without leavening), the capirotada dessert (a mix of cooked bread, cheese, raisins, peanuts, and crystallized sugarcane juice), and the relative absence of pork dishes.
One of the most prestigious private universities in Mexico is the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, or ITESM (English: Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies). It has the largest educational system in Latin America with 33 campuses and agreements with other universities in America, Europe and Asia. The ITESM holds its headquarters in this city.
The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, or UANL (English: Autonomous University of Nuevo León), is among the most recognized public schools in Latin America; it has one of the top medical schools in the country.
There are several bilingual private schools in Monterrey; two examples are the ASFM (American School Foundation Monterrey) and AIM (American Institute of Monterrey)
Baseball has a long history in the city, where it became the most popular sport during the early 20th century. Monterrey has been champion of the Little League World Tournament three times (1957, 1958 and 1997), and often hosts Major League games. In the Mexican league, the Sultanes are one important team every season, and in the year 2003, they unsuccessfully attempted to buy (and relocate to Monterrey) the Montreal Expos franchise of the Major League.
The city also hosts the CART race in Fundidora Park since 2001 and hosted the A1 Grand Prix of Nations on February 2006.
Other popular sports include golf and college American football, with two local teams: the Autenticos Tigres (UANL) and the Borregos del ITESM that play in the National College League (ONEFA); their games attract thousands (mainly student crowds). People can also find fishing, camping, and extreme-sports outdoors near the city (bungee jumping at Cola de Caballo, rock-climbing, hiking, mountain bike). In particular there is international-level rock-climbing in places like la Huasteca [link] , Potrero Chico and many other canyons.
Monterrey, Nuevo León is not the only city of that name that exists; there is also a city with that name in Colombia (Monterrey, Colombia; airport code MOY). Monterrey is sometimes known as "Old Monterrey" since it was founded before Monterey, California, USA, which is spelled with only one "R". In Spain, the name of the original city that inspired both New World cities is written Monterrei, with an "I" at the end.
