Monterrey

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This article is about the Mexican city; for other uses, see Monterrey (disambiguation).

Ciudad de Monterrey City of Monterrey Coat of arms of the Municipality of Monterrey
Motto: El Trabajo Templa el Espíritu (Work forges the spirit)
Coordinates 25°40′N 100°18′W
Foundation date	September 20, 1596
Population	1,138,335 (2006)
Population Metro Area	3,612,991 (2006)
Population density	1,989/km² (2005)
Altitude	537 meters
UTC	−6 hours (Central)
Area code	81
_{Sources: INEGI}

Monterrey IPA: [ˌmontɛˈrei] (Spanish: Monterrey (help·info)) is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León and a municipality of the same name. Also known as the "City of the Mountains" and "Sultana del Norte" (Sultan of the North), the city is a modern industrial and business center. It is the third most populated and the second most important metropolitan area in Mexico. The city is ranked in Latin America as the highest GDP per capita and as the most secure ^[1].

[edit] History

See also articles in the category History of Monterrey

Nightview of the City of Monterrey

In the mid-1500s, the valley which Monterrey now occupies, was known as the Extremadura Valley, an area largely unexplored by the Spanish. Several expeditions led by Alberto del Canto tried to colonize the area, the most important in 1577 but were always unsuccessful because the population left to more prosperous towns. The Spanish expeditionary Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva negotiated with King Philip II of Spain to establish a territory in northern New Spain, which would be called the New Kingdom of León. In 1580 he arrived in the newly granted lands but it was not until 1582 that he established a settlement called San Luis Rey de Francia within present-day Monterrey. The New Kingdom of León was an enormous area extending westwards from the port of Tampico to the limits of New Galicia (now State of Jalisco), and around 1,000 kilometeres northwards. Carvajal's plans of colonization were frustrated by the Spanish Inquisition that accused and jailed him. For 8 years the Kingdom was abandoned and inhabited but finally, 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) 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 remained a not very important small city, and its population varied from a few hundred to only dozens. The city was a place that facilitated trade between San Antonio (now in Texas), Tampico and from Saltillo to 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).

Cerro de la Silla, primary symbol of the city

In the 19th Century after the Mexican Independence War, Monterrey rose as a key economic 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). In 1824 the New Kingdom of León became the State of Nuevo León and Monterrey was selected as its capital. However, the political instability that followed the first 50 years of the new country allowed two American invasions and an internal secession war, during which the Governor of the State annexed the Coahuila and Tamaulipas, states designating Monterrey as the capital of the enlarged state.

The Bishopric Palace (18th Century)

Most of the generals in the Mexican War against France were natives of the city, including Mariano Escobedo, Juan Zuazua and Jerónimo Treviño.

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 founded the Colegio Civil, an early effort to create a non-religious university in Monterrey; he also founded the Hospital Civil which is now one of the best public hospitals in the northeast of Mexico, and serves as medical school support to the School of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL). Vicente Ferrara founded the Fundidora de Fierro y Acero de Monterrey^[2], a steel-producing company that accelerated the already fast industrialization of the city and became one of the world's biggest at its time.

During the 20th century, the city finally firmly established itself as the main industrial pole in Mexico, where state-owned companies sustained the economy. Monterrey developed one of the most important financial and business districts in the country due to the creation of large corporations in many sectors such as in glass, metals, concrete (cement), beverages, financial services, telecommunications and media. Such well-known companies as Cemex, FEMSA (Coca-cola Latin America), Vitro and Mexicana airlines have their headquarters in the city.

The Lighthouse of Commerce

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused great damage to the city; the Santa Catarina River overflowed, causing about 100 deaths and severe economic damage.

The city has hosted international events such as the 2002 United Nation Conference on Financing for Development 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 and cooperation. In 2004, the OAS Special Summit of the Americas was attended by almost all the presidents of the Americas. In 1986, several official games of the 1986 FIFA World Cup were hosted.

In 2007, Monterrey will hold the Universal Forum of Cultures. The cost of holding this event is stirring controversy in the community, but also bringing a necessary upgrade of the current urban infrastructure.

[edit] Geography and Climate

██ Monterrey██ Downtown Monterrey██ Metropolitan Area

The city of Monterrey is located in northeastern Mexico, in the state of Nuevo León. The municipality of Monterrey have a population of 1,138,335 inhabitants ^[3] according to the 2006 INEGI projection. The Monterrey metropolitan area boasts approximately 3,612,991 inhabitants ^[4], making it the third most populous in Mexico. It is composed by the adjacent cities (municipalities) of:

1. Apodaca

2. Escobedo

3. García

4. Guadalupe

5. Juárez

6. San Nicolás de los Garza

7. San Pedro Garza García

8. Santa Catarina

Monterrey is also the second most important financial and manufacturing hub after the Mexico City. Monterrey's inhabitants are called regiomontanos or regios. 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 it's dry most of the year; it flows after occasional heavy rains.

Monterrey lies at the foothill of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, which seems to come to an abrupt start south of the city, i.e. the famous "Sierra de Chipinque" 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 can be seen along its edge.

East of the city, the iconic most recognized symbol of Monterrey the Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain) 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 Bishopric Palace (Obispado), where one of the most important battles in the Mexican-American War was fought.

[edit] Climate

Monterrey's weather, though reasonably pleasant in spring and autumn, is very hot in the summer (maximum daily temperatures well above 35°C) and it can get very chilly in the winter (minimum daily temperatures close to 0°C or below zero). Rainfall is scarce, but more prominent during May and September. Humidity in winter can be high, although without showers. Snowfall is a rare event.

The weather affects daily life in a number of ways. Air-conditioning is essential, though fortunately widespread in private and public buildings. Strolling streets becomes a rarity among regios in summer and has conditioned a car-driven way to get around the city, which is quite different from what is seen in the more hospitable, walkable cities of Central Mexico. Unlike other Mexican homes across the country, regios keep two completely separate sets of garments at home, each of which will never be worn for a 6 month period or so. Weather also determines the relatively scarcity of tall trees within the city. Flowers are rarely seen being sold on the streets. Drinks are always served as cold as possible.

During the last several years, seasonal patterns have been changing, making Monterrey a more humid and less dry city, shortening the cold winters and lenghtening the summers.

[edit] Natural Areas

The Sierra Madre Oriental view from an airplane

The mountains that surround Monterrey offer a breathtaking landscape and 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) ^[5]. 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.^[6].

La Huasteca. Vertical-walled cliffs and canyons in a desert setting by the city. In Santa Catarina, west of downtown towards Saltillo.

A birding itinerary around Monterrey: ^[7]

[edit] Government

Adalberto Madero
Mayor of Monterrey

Monterrey and its metropolitan area are municipalities each of them governed by a democratic elected Presidente Municipal (Municipal President) or Mayor for a period of 3 years with no right to reelection. The political environment is one of civility and in the last decade political parties has been alternating office.

The City Council of Monterrey (Cabildo de Monterrey) is an organ integrated by the Mayor, the Regidores and the Síndicos. The Mayor is the executor of the determinations of the City Council and the person directly in charge of the public municipal administration. The Regidores represent the community and their mission is to groupally define the city policies in all the subjects affecting it. The Síndicos are in charge of watching and legally defend the city interests, as well as in charge of watching the City Treasury status and the municipal patrimony ^[8].

The current Mayor of Monterrey is Adalberto Madero (PAN), and he will remain in office until October 31, 2009. He was elected mayor in the past municipal election on July 2, 2006 (Official results: PAN 45.51%, PRI 43.63%, PRD 4.9%, Others 2.85%). ^[9]

The political parties with representation in the city are the Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI, the National Action Party or PAN, the Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD, the Labor Party or PT, the Green Party, Convergence, Social Democratic and Farmer Alternative and Nueva Alianza.

[edit] Public safety

Monterrey is ranked as the most secure city in Latin America ^[10] and Mexico. It is the only large metropolitan area of Mexico that boasts crime rates below the national average. Nuevo León state's capital, the metropolitan area and 2 of its surrounding municipalities (Salinas Victoria and Santiago) reported 8,034 crimes for every 100,000 people in 2004^{[citation needed]}, whereas the national average of criminal incidence was 11,246 for every 100,000 people.

There are two police departments guarding the city, the Police of the City of Monterrey ^[11] (locally known as the Policía Regia), dependant of the municipal government, and the State Public Safety ^[12]. The Policía Regia protects the city's downtown and main areas, while the State Public Safety is in charge of the farest areas.

There are two major emergency telephone numbers: Monterrey Emergencies telephone is 060 ^[13] and the Metropolitan Area Emergency Number is 066.

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Transportation

See also articles in the category Transportation in Monterrey

Metrorrey Subway Station

Monterrey is well connected with the USA border, the sea and inland Mexico through several modern roads, including the Carretera Nacional (also known as the Panamerican Highway) that runs from Nuevo Laredo to México City and south, and the Autopista Interoceánica connecting Matamoros 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 several between-cities bus lines at the bus station downtown. Buses are modern and efficient, with many arrivals and departures everyday into deeper Mexico, to the U.S. border and into the United States.

Monterrey is also connected by at least three important railroad freight lines: Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City, Monterrey-Tampico, and Monterrey-Pacific (Mazatlán). Passenger rail service to the city no longer exists.

There are two international airports: General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (served by major international carriers and moving close to 4 million passangers in 2005) and Del Norte International Airport, a primary private airport. Monterrey is linked through frequent non-stop flights to many Mexican cities and to key United States hubs (Atlanta, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Houston-Intercontinental). There is also a twice a week non-stop service to Madrid, Spain, operated by Aeroméxico and another planned to Paris, France. According to Aeromexico, Monterrey is the second most important city for its operating routes. ^[14] Five airlines have their operational bases and headquarters in Monterrey: Aviacsa, Aerolitoral, a new LCC Viva Aerobus, and two charter airlines: Magnicharters and Aladia. There is no public transportation from the Mariano Escobedo Airport to the city. However, a cartel of taxi services link the airport with the city and charge more than $20 US for a one-way ride to the city. From this airport, there is a bus shuttle to nearby Saltillo^[15]. Inter-city bus services run daily into the interior, as well as north to the US border and points beyond.

Public transportation in the city includes a modern but limited rapid transit system or metro with only two lines.^[16]^,^[17]; many city bus lines that vary in quality and service, and thousands of economical and efficient taxi cabs. Traffic jams, although less impressive than those seen in other Latin American big cities, are becoming more frequent, primarily at rush hours.

[edit] Hospitals

OCA Hospital

Monterrey has some of the best hospitals in Mexico, specially in cancer treatment, heart diseases, obesity surgery and plastic surgery. There are public and private hospital care. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) have two major regional hospitals in the city, the Specialities Regional Hospital # 33 and the Gynecology and Obsterics Regional Hospital, serving also the northeastern states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Several smaller IMSS hospitals can be found such as the Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital and the General Hospital # 25. State government owns the Metropolitan Hospital, located in the suburb of San Nicolás de los Garza and it is building the Hospital of the Children and Mother Care in Guadalupe suburb.

The University of Nuevo León runs the public University Hospital, with a high-level shock-trauma unit and a specialized clinic for child cancer treatment. It is recognized as the best public hospital in the city and the UANL School of Medicine as one of the best in the country. On the other hand the Monterrey Tech runs the San José Hospital, as a private medical center.

Several world class hospitals such as the Hospital OCA, the largest private hospital in Mexico ^[18], Christus Muguerza Hospital, Santa Engracia Hospital, San Vicente Hospital and the San Lucas Hospital (Plastic Surgery) can be found in the city and its metropolitan area.

[edit] Economy

La Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma.

See also Companies based in Monterrey

Monterrey is a major industrial center among cities in Mexico, second only to the nation's capital producing a GDP of 41.242 millions of US dollars (2005). The city's GDP per capita in 2005 was 11,654 US dollars making it the highest in Latin America. Currently the city is ranked as the third best to do business in Latin America by the prestigious América Economía magazine.

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 recognized 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 entrepreneurial character. Monterrey is considered one of the best cities for business in the world. ^[19]

Industrialization process was accelerated in the mid 19th Century by the Compañia Fundidora de Fierro y Acero Monterrey a steel-proccessing company. Nowadays Monterrey is home of powerful conglomerates such as Cemex (world's second largest cement company), FEMSA (Coca-cola Latin America), Vitro (glass), Maseca (food) and Banorte (financial services). The FEMSA corporation owns a large brewery, the Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma that produces the brands Sol, Tecate, Indio, Dos Equis and Carta Blanca among others. In the year 2005, the economic resources of the city accounted for more than 41.2 billion USD. By the end of the same year, there were more than 13,000 manufacturing companies, 55,000 retail stores, and more than 52,000 service firms.^[20]. Monterrey accounts for about 95% of the State of Nuevo Leon's GDP, and 18% of Mexico's manufactured exports come from this city. ^[21]

The metals sector, dominated by iron and steel, accounted for 6 percent of manufacturing GNP in 1994. ^[22] The steel industry is centered in Monterrey, where the country's first steel mills opened in 1903. Steel proccessing plants in Monterrey, privatized in 1986, accounted for about half of Mexico's total steel output in the early 1990s. ^[22]

Monterrey was ranked 94 worldwide and 5 in Latin America in terms of Quality of Life according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting (2006) ^[23], and number 2 according to America Economia (2005).

Monterrey is also a great city to do shopping, and has some of the best malls of Mexico, including Plaza Fiesta San Agustín, Galerías Monterrey, and Galerías Valle Oriente, which distribute goods and services to the Mexican population.

[edit] Education

Headquarters of the UANL

Main entrance of the ITESM

The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Autonomous University of Nuevo León) or UANL, is the third largest Mexican university and is among the most recognized schools in Mexico, ranked by the Reader's Digest-AC Nielsen Survey 2005 as the top university (both public and private) in the northeast region of Mexico ^[24]. Its main campus is called Ciudad Universitaria (University City) with an aproximate area of 67,630,000 square meters ^[25]. The UANL system comprises 26 colleges (faculties), 22 graduate divisions, 24 high schools, 1 center of bilingual education and 3 technical high schools.

Monterrey is headquarter of one of the most prestigious private universities in Latin America, the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, or ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies). As the centre of its own educational network, it boasts 33 campuses and agreements with other universities in America, Europe and Asia. Its reputation, specially for MBA and other administrative and technological programmes, is solidly established.

The city is often considered the main educational center in Mexico, with people from other states coming to study higher education. There are other recognized universities such as the University of Monterrey (UDEM), Universidad del Norte (UN) and the Universidad Regiomontana.

There are several bilingual and bicultural schools in Monterrey, such as the ASFM American School Foundation of Monterrey and the AIM American Institute of Monterrey.

The Biblioteca Central located at the Macroplaza, the Biblioteca Magna Universitaria and the Biblioteca Alfonsina within the UANL University campus, are the main public libraries in the city.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Food

Cabrito (kid goat) is Monterrey's most popular traditional dish

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. Another famous local dish is machacado con huevo, prepared eggs, dry beef and salsa.

Carne asada (grilled beef) on weekends remains one of the most cherished traditions in Monterrey's families. When people gather to celebrate birthdays, family reunions, soccer games or just to share time with their friends, carne asada is a must. It is usually served with grilled onions, baked potatoes and sausages or chopped as tacos. Locally brewed beer and cola soft drinks are an almost mandatory part of the weekly ritual.

Although not still comparable with the caleidoscopic gastronomy of Mexico City and some major Mexican beach resorts, several good restaurants offering Italian, Chinese, Mediterrean and Japanese food can be found throughout downtown Monterrey and San Pedro Garza Garcia suburb.

[edit] Sports

Rayados play in the Estadio Tecnológico stadium.

See also articles in the category Sport in Monterrey

Monterrey has two soccer teams in the Mexican league, the Tigres of the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon and the Club de Fútbol Monterrey, known as the Rayados. While Tigres play in their own stadium, the Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Rayados plays in the Estadio Tecnológico, a facility owned by the ITESM, and rented to the team.

In addition, two professional indoor soccer teams were hosted in the past, the Monterrey La Raza, members of the Continental Indoor Soccer League and World Indoor Soccer League and the Monterrey Fury, members of the current US Major Indoor Soccer League.

The city hosted many official games during the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

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 Series three times (1957, 1958 and 1997), and has been host of US Major League Baseball games. In the Mexican Baseball League, the Sultanes de Monterrey are one important team every season and have won the national title several times. In the year 2003, the city unsuccessfully attempted to buy (and relocate to Monterrey) the Montreal Expos franchise of the US Major League Baseball.

There are two professional basketball teams: Fuerza Regia that plays in the Mexican league and the Monterrey Poison that plays in the American Basketball Association. Fuerza Regia plays at the Monterrey Arena while the Monterrey Poison plays at the gymnasium of the ITESM.

The city has hosted the Champ Car race in Fundidora Park from 2001 to 2005 and hosted the A1 Grand Prix of Nations on February 2006.

In 2004 Monterrey hosted the World Karate Federation World Championships.

American football is well represented nationwide, with two college local teams: the Autenticos Tigres (UANL) and the Borregos (ITESM) that play in the National College League (ONEFA); their games attract thousands (mainly student crowds). A vast number of kids with ages ranging from 5 to 15 practice this sport during summer and fall, and play on Sunday mostly; teams with a great history in the city are Halcones, Aguilas, Pumas, Avispones and Potros.

People can also find golf, 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 places like la Huasteca, Potrero Chico and many other canyons.

[edit] Contemporary Music

See also articles in the category Musical groups from Monterrey

Starting in the 90's, Monterrey has witnessed the birth of several bands that have become internationally acclaimed. Their genres vary considerably. Bands include Plastilina Mosh, Control Machete, Kinky, El Gran Silencio, Jumbo, Panda, Genitallica, Zurdok, Volovan. The song Los Oxidados by Plastilina Mosh opens the 2005 movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Kinky performed at the 2004 edition of the Coachella Festival in California, along with Radiohead, The Cure and The Killers. Monterrey has recently earned the nickname "Monterrock", and is considered the musical capital of Mexico's rock scene. A few of the most popular live music venues in Monterrey include Cafe Iguana, McMullen's and La Fonda, all located in the Barrio Antiguo section of the city.

[edit] Broadcasting and Media

Monterrey is an important producer and broadcaster of media and entertainment in Mexico. Grupo Reforma, one of the most widely read newsources in Mexico originated in the city with the newspaper El Norte. Milenio is another newspaper of high distribution, dialy printing local editions in the most important Mexican cities. Other local newspapers include El Porvenir and ABC.

There are 11 open TV channel broadcasting in the city:

Name	Network	Channel	Contents	Type
Teleactiva	Televisa	2	Entertainment	Local
Azteca 13	TV Azteca	4	Entertainment	National
Canal 5	Televisa	6	Cartoons, Series	National
Azteca 7	TV Azteca	7	Series, Movies	National, Local
Canal de las Estrellas	Televisa	10	Telenovelas	National
Multimedios Televisión	Multimedios	12	Entertainment, News	Local
Galavisión	Televisa	22	Entertainment	National
TV Nuevo León	State Goverment	28	Cultural, News	Local
Monterrey Televisión	Televisa	34	Entertainment, News	Local
Canal 53 UANL	UANL	53	Cultural	Local
Canal 64	Multimedios	64	Music videos	Local

Monterrey also has several radio stations broadcasting news, music, entertainment, and culture for the city. The main radio broadcasting groups are Multimedios Radio, Grupo Radio Alegría and Nucleo Radio Monterrey.

[edit] Landmarks

Palace of the State Government

The Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain) is with no doubt the primary and most recognized symbol of the city.
La Macroplaza, one of the world's largest plazas, is the cultural and administrative heart of the city featuring remarkable monuments, green areas and buildings.
Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce), another trademark of the city. This monuments beams a green laser around the city in the nights.
The Barrio Antiguo (old neighborhood), charming area where bars, cafes, art galleries and restaurants can be found. On November of every year the Festival Cultural Barrio Antiguo takes place with national and international artists and performers.
Fundidora Park.
Opened in 2003, the Puente de la Unidad (sometimes called Puente Atirantado) is a suspension bridge that crosses the Río Santa Catarina and joins San Pedro Garza García with Monterrey.

[edit] Historical and Cultural Sites

The Macroplaza

Museum of Mexican History

El Cerro del Obispado (Bishopric Hill) which includes a public, scenic lookout called Mirador del Obispado, a Monumental flag and the museum inside the Palacio del Obispado (the Bishopric Palace).
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) ^[26], 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. An artificial river (Canal de Santa Lucía)is currenty under construction below the mail level of the museum, that will be surrounded by recreational areas.
The Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey, formerly the City Hall, is a lovely small museum across from the south end of la Macroplaza.
El Museo del Vidrio, [9], devoted mainly to glass art and history; remarkable, diverse and changing exhibits.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, MARCO^[27]. A remarkable model of post-modern Mexican architecture, boasting some of the best exhibits nationwide.
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: ^[28]
La Basílica del Roble, one of the three Catholic basilicas of the city (the others being of Guadalupe and "La Purisima". The Basilica del Roble was built in honor of the Virgin "del Roble", patron of the City.
A listing of these and smaller museums, in Spanish: ^[29]

[edit] Sightseeing around Monterrey

Cola de Caballo waterfall

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) ^[30] ^[31] 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.

[edit] International Development

Universal Forum of Cultures 2007: International cultural event intended to take place every four years, for peace, sustainable development, knowledge sharing, human rights and respect for cultural diversity. It will be held in Monterrey starting September 20, 2007.