The third-largest city of Mexico, Monterrey is the Railroad and highway hub of NE Mexico. It is also Mexico’s second-most important industrial center. The site of the nation’s largest iron and steel foundries and a major producer of cement. Monterrey’s modern industrial complex also includes a wide range of light manufacturing (including glass and beverages).

The city has experienced further growth with the construction of maquiladoras, foreign-owned plants that use low-wage labor for goods exported to the U.S. Natural gas, coal and petroleum from the neighboring states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas are also major sources of industrial activity.

Its moderate, dry climate, cool mountains, and hot springs make the Monterrey area a popular resort. Monterrey is the home of the University of Nuevo Leon and Monterrey Technical Institute, one of Mexico’s most prestigious institutions of higher education.

The city was founded in 1579.