Monterrey

Monterrey
Nicknames: 
Sultan of the North, City of the Mountains, Mexican Industrial Capital
Motto(s): 
El trabajo templa el espíritu
(Work Tempers the Spirit)
Monterrey
Location of Monterrey within Mexico
Monterrey
Monterrey (Mexico)
Monterrey
Monterrey (North America)
Coordinates: 25°41′04″N 100°19′05″W / 25.6844°N 100.3181°W / 25.6844; -100.3181
Country Mexico
State Nuevo León
MunicipalityMonterrey
FoundedSeptember 20, 1596
Founded asCiudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey (English translation: Metropolitan city of Our Lady of Monterrey)
Founded byDiego de Montemayor
Named afterGaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey
Government
 • MayorAdrián de la Garza Santos
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)
 • City
1,142,952
 • Rank23rd in North America
8th in Mexico
 • Density3,415/km2 (8,840/sq mi)
 • Urban
5,324,281
 • Urban density4,500/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
5,341,177
Demonym(s)Regiomontano(a)
Regio(a)
GDP (PPP, constant 2024 values)
 • Year2024
 • Total (City)$111.3 billion
 • Per capita$97,410
 • Total (Metro)$283.2 billion
 • Per capita (Metro)$53,224
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
Postal code
64000 (Center)
Website(in Spanish) www.monterrey.gob.mx
The words Ciudad de Monterrey shown on the flag and seal translate to "City of Monterrey" in English.

Monterrey (MON-tə-RAY; Spanish: [monteˈrej] ) is the capital and largest city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León. The city anchors the Monterrey metropolitan area, Mexico's second largest metropolitan area with a population of 5,322,117 as of 2009, and is often considered the richest city in Latin America. According to the 2020 census, Monterrey itself has a population of 1,142,194. Located at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental, Monterrey is a major business and industrial hub in Mexico and Latin America.

Monterrey is considered one of the most livable cities in Latin America, and a 2018 study ranked the suburb of San Pedro Garza García as the city with the best quality of life in the country. It serves as a commercial center of northern Mexico and is the base of many significant international corporations. It is considered a Beta World City, cosmopolitan and competitive. Rich in history and culture, it is one of the most developed cities in Latin America.

The uninterrupted settlement of Monterrey began with its founding by Diego de Montemayor in 1596. Following the Mexican War of Independence, the city grew into a key business hub. The city experienced great industrial growth following the establishment of the Monterrey Foundry in 1900. It holds prominent positions in industries such as steel, cement, glass, auto parts, and brewing. The city's economic success has been partly attributed to its proximity to the United States-Mexico border and strong economic ties with the United States.