Monterrey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monterrey
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South Central-Monterrey skyline
Cerro de la Silla in southeast Monterrey
Paseo Santa Lucía and the Torre Ciudadana
Barrio Antiguo
Steel Museum in Fundidora Park
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| Nicknames:
Sultan of the North, City of the Mountains, Mexican Industrial Capital
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| Motto(s):
El trabajo templa el espíritu
(Work Tempers the Spirit) |
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| Country |  Mexico |
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| State |  Nuevo León |
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| Municipality | Monterrey | ||
| Founded | September 20, 1596 | ||
| Founded as | Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey (English translation: Metropolitan city of Our Lady of Monterrey) | ||
| Founded by | Diego de Montemayor | ||
| Named for | Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 324.8 km2 (125.4 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 958 km2 (370 sq mi) | ||
| • Metro | 7,657.5 km2 (2,956.6 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 540 m (1,770 ft) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 1,142,952 | ||
| • Rank | 23rd in North America 8th in Mexico |
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| • Density | 3,415/km2 (8,845/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 5,324,281 | ||
| • Urban density | 4,500/km2 (11,600/sq mi) | ||
| • Metro | 5,341,177 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Regiomontano(a) Regio(a) |
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| GDP (PPP, constant 2024 values) | |||
| • Year | 2024 | ||
| • Total (City) | $111.3 billion | ||
| • Per capita | $97,410 | ||
| • Total (Metro) | $283.2 billion | ||
| • Per capita (Metro) | $53,224 | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||
| The words Ciudad de Monterrey shown on the flag and seal translate to "City of Monterrey" in English. | |||
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Monterrey is a large and important city in northeastern Mexico. It is the capital of the state of Nuevo León. Monterrey is part of Mexico's second-largest metropolitan area, with over 5.3 million people. Many consider it one of the richest cities in Latin America.
The city sits at the base of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains. It is a major center for business and industry in Mexico. Monterrey is known for being a great place to live in Latin America. It is also a hub for many big international companies. The city is rich in history and culture. It is one of the most developed cities in Latin America.
Monterrey was first settled by Diego de Montemayor in 1596. After Mexico became independent, the city grew into a key business area. It saw huge industrial growth after the Monterrey Foundry opened in 1900. Today, it is strong in industries like steel, cement, glass, car parts, and brewing. Its success is partly because it is close to the United States-Mexico border. It also has strong business ties with the United States.
Contents
- Understanding Monterrey's Name
- Monterrey's Journey Through Time
- Monterrey's Landscape and Nature
- People and Learning in Monterrey
- How Monterrey is Governed
- Getting Around Monterrey
- Monterrey's Economy and Business
- Culture and Fun in Monterrey
- Famous People from Monterrey
- Monterrey's Sister Cities
- See also
Understanding Monterrey's Name
The city gets its name from Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey. He was a viceroy, or governor, of New Spain from 1595 to 1603. His family came from a place called Monterrei in Spain.
Monterrey's Journey Through Time
Early History of Monterrey
Before Europeans arrived, the area where Monterrey now stands was home to different groups of nomadic people. These groups included the Azalapas, Huachichiles, Coahuiltecos, and Borrados. We know about them from Carved stone and cave paintings found in the mountains nearby.
How Monterrey Was Founded
In the 1500s, the valley of Monterrey was mostly unexplored by the Spanish. The first attempts to settle here were not successful. Spanish explorers were attacked by native people and had to leave.
Later, Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva got permission from King Philip II to create a new territory. This new land in northern New Spain was called Nuevo León. In 1582, he started a settlement named San Luis Rey de Francia in the Monterrey area.
After some time, the area was left empty. Then, in 1596, Diego de Montemayor led 13 families to the valley. On September 20, 1596, they officially founded the Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey. This new city was built near a water spring called Ojos de Agua de Santa Lucia. Today, this spot is home to the Museum of Mexican History and the Santa Lucía riverwalk.
Monterrey After Mexico's Independence
After the Mexican Independence War in the 1800s, Monterrey became an important economic center. It had good trade connections with Europe through Tampico, with the United States through San Antonio, and with Mexico City through Saltillo. In 1824, Nuevo León became a state, and Monterrey was chosen as its capital.
The city saw some conflicts during this time, including battles during the Mexican–American War in 1846. Mexican forces fought bravely but eventually surrendered. Many important generals from the Mexican War against France were from this region.
Monterrey in the 20th Century
By the late 1800s, railroads connected Monterrey, helping its industries grow. The Cervecería Cuauhtémoc brewery, a major local business, was founded in 1890. In 1900, the Fundidora de Fierro y Acero de Monterrey, a steel company, was started. This company helped speed up the city's industrial growth, making it one of the world's largest steel producers.
During this time, workers in Monterrey sought better working conditions and fair pay. This led to discussions and changes in how companies treated their employees. In 1986, Monterrey hosted several games for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused significant damage and flooding in the city.
Monterrey in the 21st Century
Monterrey has hosted many big international events. In 2002, it held a United Nations conference about financing for development. This meeting led to the Monterrey Consensus, a plan for global cooperation. In 2004, the OAS held a special summit here.
In 2007, Monterrey hosted the 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures, which attracted four million visitors. The city also hosted the FINA World Junior Championships in 2008.
In 2010, Hurricane Alex brought record-breaking rain, causing floods and damage. The city worked hard to rebuild and improve its infrastructure. In August 2011, a sad incident occurred at a casino in the city.
In summer 2022, the area faced a serious drought. Water service was limited for many weeks. The city's reservoirs were very low. A second aqueduct was built to connect the El Cuchillo Reservoir to Monterrey, and it was completed in July 2023. Heavy rains later helped fill the reservoirs. The governor declared the water crisis over in late September 2022, asking residents to use water wisely.
Monterrey's Landscape and Nature
Monterrey is about 540 meters (1,772 feet) above sea level. The city's name means "King Mount" or "King Mountain." This name fits well because large mountains surround the city. The Santa Catarina River flows through Monterrey from east to west. It usually looks dry on the surface but has water flowing underground.
Monterrey is surrounded by other cities. These include San Nicolás de los Garza, García, and General Escobedo to the north. To the east are Guadalupe, Juárez, and Cadereyta Jiménez. Santiago is to the south, and San Pedro Garza García and Santa Catarina are to the west. Together, these cities form a large metropolitan area.
The Sierra Madre Oriental mountains are just south of Monterrey. The Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain) is a famous symbol of the city, dominating the eastern view. Other notable hills include the Cerro del Topo and the Cerro de las Mitras. The Cerro del Obispado (Bishopric Hill) has a historic palace and offers great views.
Exploring Natural Areas
The mountains around Monterrey offer many canyons, trails, and forests to explore. The Sierra Madre Oriental mountains are part of the Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey. This park is recognized by UNESCO for its important natural environment.
Some popular natural spots include:
- Parque Ecológico Chipinque: A forested area with oak and pine trees.
- La Estanzuela state park: A park with a river and forests, south of Monterrey.
- La Huasteca: A great place for outdoor activities, west of the city.
- El Potrero Chico Climbing Area: Known for rock climbing, northeast of the city.
- Garcia Caves: Discovered in 1843, these caves have amazing stalagmite formations.
- Cascade Cola de Caballo: A beautiful waterfall in Santiago Nuevo Leon, surrounded by forests.
Monterrey's Climate
| Weather chart for Monterrey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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20
22
9
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15
25
11
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15
29
14
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20
32
18
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45
35
21
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70
36
23
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55
35
23
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80
35
23
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90
33
22
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60
30
18
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20
25
13
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20
22
10
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| temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm |
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Imperial conversion
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Monterrey has a semi-arid climate, meaning it doesn't get a lot of rain. It is one of Mexico's warmest major cities. Summers are usually hot, spring and fall are mild, and winters are cool. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
In August, the average high is 36°C (97°F), and the average low is 24°C (75°F). In January, the average high is 22°C (72°F), and the average low is 10°C (50°F). Most rain falls from May to September.
Monterrey can have sudden weather changes. For example, it can reach 30°C (86°F) in January, one of the coldest months. Snow is very rare, but a big snowfall happened in January 1967. The most recent snowfall was in February 2021.
In 2010, Hurricane Alex caused the worst natural disaster in the city's history. It brought over 584 mm (23 inches) of rain in 72 hours. This caused severe floods, damaged homes and roads, and left many without water. The city worked hard to recover from this event.
| Climate data for Monterrey (1991-2020), extremes (1929-present) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.0 (100.4) |
39.5 (103.1) |
43.0 (109.4) |
48.0 (118.4) |
46.0 (114.8) |
45.0 (113.0) |
41.5 (106.7) |
42.5 (108.5) |
41.0 (105.8) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.0 (102.2) |
48.0 (118.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
23.9 (75.0) |
27.7 (81.9) |
31.2 (88.2) |
33.5 (92.3) |
35.7 (96.3) |
35.6 (96.1) |
36.1 (97.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
24.5 (76.1) |
21.8 (71.2) |
29.5 (85.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 15.2 (59.4) |
17.8 (64.0) |
20.9 (69.6) |
24.2 (75.6) |
26.5 (79.7) |
28.6 (83.5) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.9 (84.0) |
26.1 (79.0) |
23.1 (73.6) |
18.9 (66.0) |
15.6 (60.1) |
22.9 (73.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
15.1 (59.2) |
18.3 (64.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
21.8 (71.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
13.9 (57.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
17.6 (63.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −7.0 (19.4) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
4.2 (39.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
11.5 (52.7) |
11.0 (51.8) |
12.2 (54.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 21.8 (0.86) |
27.3 (1.07) |
29.1 (1.15) |
33.6 (1.32) |
53.2 (2.09) |
62.6 (2.46) |
59.9 (2.36) |
72.7 (2.86) |
199.7 (7.86) |
64.1 (2.52) |
30.0 (1.18) |
22.5 (0.89) |
666.6 (26.24) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 9.1 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 63.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 67.5 | 65.7 | 63.3 | 63.1 | 67.1 | 65.4 | 64.2 | 63.7 | 71.3 | 71.6 | 71.0 | 69.0 | 66.9 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 160.3 | 161.8 | 181.3 | 187.6 | 206.5 | 222.8 | 237.9 | 258.8 | 184.4 | 179.0 | 156.3 | 139.3 | 2,275.9 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: (Ogimet) | |||||||||||||
People and Learning in Monterrey
Population and Growth
Monterrey is a very populated city. In 2010, about 87% of the people in the state of Nuevo León lived in the Monterrey metropolitan area. This area is the second most populated in Mexico, with over 5 million residents. It includes Monterrey and several nearby municipalities like Apodaca, Guadalupe, and San Pedro Garza García.
Education Opportunities
Monterrey values education. The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) is one of Mexico's largest universities. It is known as a top public university in northeast Mexico. UANL has many colleges, graduate programs, and high schools. Its medical school is considered very advanced.
The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) is another highly-ranked university. It is known for its engineering, information technology, and social sciences programs.
Other important universities include the Universidad Regiomontana and the Universidad de Monterrey. These universities help students get ready for their careers and contribute to the city's lively economy.
Healthcare Services
Monterrey has excellent hospitals and medical facilities. Many hospitals have international accreditation, meaning they meet high standards. There are both public and private hospitals. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has several large hospitals here. The Autonomous University of Nuevo León also runs a public University Hospital, known for its advanced care.
Because of its good medical care and reasonable prices, Monterrey is a popular place for "medical tourism." This means people from other countries, especially the United States, come here for healthcare.
How Monterrey is Governed
Monterrey and its metropolitan area are managed by a mayor, called a Presidente Municipal. The mayor is chosen by the people in elections every three years. The current mayor of Monterrey is Adrián de la Garza Santos.
The City Council of Monterrey, or Cabildo de Monterrey, works with the mayor. It includes Regidores who represent the community and help make city policies. Síndicos look after the city's money and legal matters. Different political parties are part of the city's government, working together for the community.
Getting Around Monterrey
Transportation in the City
Monterrey is well-connected by roads to the United States–Mexico border, the coast, and other parts of Mexico. Important highways include the Carretera Nacional and the Carretera Interoceánica.
The city has a central bus station with routes to many Mexican cities and into the United States. There are also important railroad lines for cargo.
Monterrey has a rapid transit system called Metrorrey with three lines. It also has a BRT system called Ecovía.
Two airports serve the city: Monterrey International Airport for major flights and Del Norte International Airport for private planes. Monterrey International Airport has flights to many Mexican cities and major U.S. cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston. Several airlines have their main offices in Monterrey, including Volaris and VivaAerobus.
Water Management
Monterrey's Economy and Business
Monterrey is a big industrial center in northern Mexico. It is known for its strong economy. In 1999, Fortune magazine called it the best city in Latin America for business.
The city is strong in industries like steel, cement, glass, car parts, and brewing. Its economic success is partly due to being close to the United States border and having strong business ties with the U.S.
Many big international companies have their headquarters in Monterrey. These include Cemex (a large cement company), FEMSA (a major Coca-Cola bottler), Alfa (involved in petrochemicals and food), and Vitro (a glass company). The Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, which makes popular beers like Sol and Tecate, was sold to Heineken.
In March 2023, Tesla announced it would build a new gigafactory—Gigafactory Mexico—near Monterrey. This factory is a huge investment, creating thousands of jobs during construction and operation.
Culture and Fun in Monterrey
The 2007 Universal Forum of Cultures was a big international cultural event held in Monterrey. It took place from September to December 2007.
Delicious Food in Monterrey
The most famous dish from Monterrey is cabrito, which is young goat cooked over hot coals. Other local foods include "semita" (a type of bread) and "capirotada" (a sweet dessert with bread, cheese, and raisins). Machacado con huevo (dried meat with eggs) is another popular dish.
On weekends, many families enjoy Carne asada, which is grilled meat. It's often served with grilled onions, baked potatoes, and sausages. Locally made beer and soda are also popular. For dessert, "Glorias" and "obleas" are traditional sweets made from goat milk.
Monterrey's Chinatown
After a trade agreement called USMCA, an industrial Chinatown developed in Monterrey. It has signs in both Spanish and Chinese. This area helps businesses take advantage of tariff-free trade with the United States because of its close location to Texas.
Music Scene
Monterrey has been known for "Norteño" music since the 1960s. The city has also seen many bands become famous internationally. These bands play different styles of music. Some well-known groups include Plastilina Mosh, Control Machete, Kinky, El Gran Silencio, and The Warning.
Famous Places to See
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Monterrey has many interesting landmarks:
- The Santa Lucía riverwalk: An artificial river built between 1996 and 2007. It connects the Macroplaza to Fundidora Park.
- The Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain): A natural symbol of the city.
- The Macroplaza: One of the world's largest city squares. It is the cultural and administrative heart of Monterrey, with monuments and green spaces.
- Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce): A city landmark that shines a green laser beam across the city at night.
- Barrio Antiguo: The historic old town with preserved buildings from past centuries. Today, it has cafes, art galleries, and restaurants. The Festival Internacional de Santa Lucia takes place here in September.
- The Museum of Modern Art: A modern building designed to display art from around the world.
- Fundidora Park: A large urban park with old factory buildings, lakes, playgrounds, and museums.
- Puente de la Unidad: A suspension bridge over the Santa Catarina River, connecting Monterrey with San Pedro Garza García.
- The Alfa Planetarium: The first IMAX dome built in Latin America.
- The Government Palace of Nuevo León: A beautiful pink marble building where the governor's office is located.
- El Cerro del Obispado (Bishopric Hill): Features a scenic lookout and a museum inside the historic Palacio del Obispado.
- The Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail) waterfall: A spectacular waterfall in the mountains near Santiago.
Media and Entertainment
Monterrey is a big center for media and entertainment in Mexico. Grupo Multimedios operates several TV channels in the city. National networks like Televisa and Azteca also have local stations.
Grupo Reforma, a major news source in Mexico, started in Monterrey with the newspaper El Norte. Other local newspapers include Milenio Diario de Monterrey and El Porvenir. The city also has many radio stations playing music, news, and entertainment.
Sports and Recreation
Monterrey is a city that loves sports! It hosted 8 matches during the 1986 FIFA World Cup and will host matches again during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city also hosted the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in 2008.
Monterrey has two professional football (soccer) teams in the Mexican league. The C.F. Monterrey, known as the Rayados, plays at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer. The Tigres UANL, owned by CEMEX, play at Estadio Universitario. When these two teams play each other, it's called the Clásico Regiomontano, and the whole city gets excited!
Baseball is also very popular. Monterrey has won the Little League World Series three times (1957, 1958, and 1997). The Sultanes de Monterrey are a professional baseball team that plays in the Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey, the largest baseball stadium in Mexico.
The city also has professional basketball teams, Fuerza Regia and the Monterrey Poison. Monterrey has hosted international events like the Champ Car race and the World Karate Federation Senior World Championships. For outdoor fun, people can enjoy golf, fishing, hiking, and rock-climbing in places like La Huasteca.
Famous People from Monterrey
- Diego Balleza, diver
- Melissa Barrera, actress and singer
- Erika Buenfil, actress
- Arturo Carmona, actor and footballer
- Cartel de Santa, hip-hop group
- Cepillín, clown
- María de Alva, writer
- Aldo de Nigris, footballer
- Antonio de Nigris, footballer
- Poncho de Nigris, actor
- Giovani dos Santos, footballer
- Jonathan dos Santos, footballer
- Samuel García, politician
- Eugenio Garza Sada, industrialist and philanthropist
- Paulina Goto, singer-songwriter and retired actress
- Konan Big, wrestler
- MC Davo, rapper
- Hiram Mier, footballer
- Humbe, singer-songwriter
- Selma Oxor, singer-songwriter
- Pato O'Ward, IndyCar driver
- Raúl Padilla, actor and comedian
- Adal Ramones, comedian
- Sofía Reyes, singer-songwriter
- Mariana Rodríguez Cantú, influencer
- Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, artist
- Armando Sebastian, artist
- Blanca Soto, actress and model
- Daniel Suárez, NASCAR driver
- Gloria Trevi, singer and actress
- Mariana Treviño, actress
- Alejandra Villarreal, bassist for The Warning band
- Alicia Villarreal, singer-songwriter
- Daniela Villarreal, guitarist/singer for The Warning band
- Paulina Villarreal, drummer/singer for The Warning band and Decidadas Global Award winner
- Valentín Canalizo, president of Mexico from September 7, 1843, to June 4, 1844, and then again from September 21 to December 6, 1844
Monterrey's Sister Cities
Monterrey has special connections with other cities around the world, called twin towns or sister cities:
Barcelona, Spain (1992)
Bethlehem, Palestine (1999)- Bilbao, Spain (1993)
Cape Town, South Africa (2016)
Concepción, Chile (1997)
Dallas, United States (1992)
Guatemala City, Guatemala (1998)
Hamilton, Canada (1993)
Iași, Romania (1993)- McAllen, United States (1999)
Medellín, Colombia (1996)- Monterrei, Spain (1999)
Olongapo, Philippines (1993)- Orlando, United States (2002)
Rosario, Argentina (1993)- San Antonio, United States (1953)
San Salvador, El Salvador (1996)
Shenyang, China (2015)
Surabaya, Indonesia (2001)
See also
In Spanish: Monterrey para niños
- Symbols of Monterrey
- List of tallest buildings in Monterrey
