Business Environment in Monterrey

Monterrey is recognized worldwide because of its strong industrial sector, quality international education systems, strategic geographic location for international commerce, great environment for business development, and high quality of living and health standards. These factors have given Monterrey a competitive edge for national and international institutions.

Since Monterrey’s foundation in 1596, its inhabitants have had to learn how to adapt to and overcome the cities extreme weather and difficult geography in order to improve trade with the northern and southern parts of Mexico.

Monterrey’s industrialization process was accelerated in 1890 with the establishment of one of the most important companies in the city, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, an important Mexican brewery; followed by the company Fundidora de Fierro y Acero (steel foundry) in 1900. During that period, those companies represented an important source of work for thousands of people and they supported the creation of new industries. For example, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, in the need of satisfying its own requirements, founded Vidriera Monterrey (glass), Fábricas Monterrey (cans), Empaques de Cartón Titan (boxes), Grafo Regia (packing), among many others that nowadays holds the grupo FEMSA.

www.femsa.com

Today Nuevo León is the state with the second biggest FDI in Mexico. Monterrey and its metropolitan area play a key role; it contributes 7.5% of the country’s GDP, with a per capita income of 15,975 USD and it produces 10.9% of the country’s manufactured goods. Nuevo León’s main commercial partners include United States, Germany, Canada, France, United Kingdom and Japan.

With more than 60 Industrial Parks in Monterrey and its metropolitan area, the city is home to important companies. Some of the most important national industrial groups are: ALFA, CEMEX, DEACERO, FEMSA, TERNIUM MEXICO, GIMSA, PROEZA, GRUPO QUIMMCO, VILLACERO, VITRO, GRUPO FRISA and XIGNUX. Some of the international groups are: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, AT&T, CATERPILLAR, GE, Y WHIRLPOOL, LG, JOHN DERE, TAKATA, IBM, BRIDGESTONE, VISTEON, etc.

Monterrey conserves a solid economy based on manufacture and Industry. In recent years, Monterrey has taken large steps toward an economy based on knowledge and services. With this in mind, important projects have been undertaken to prompt new development areas related to research, information technologies, aerospace industry, medicine and tourism in the city.

For more information about how to do business in Monterrey contact us at the Economic Development Deparment

Humberto Dingler Delgado
International Relations
5281 81506712
hdingler@monterrey.gob.mx

Cabañas Agaval

Carretera a Laguna de Sánchez Km. 25
Laborcitas
Santiago
Tel. (0181) 2285-1925
(0181) 2285-0684
www.cabanasagaval.com

Cabañas del Bosque

Carretera Cola de Caballo-Laguna de Sánchez Km. 22
Ciénega de González
Santiago
Tel. (0181) 8376-1464
www.cabanasdelbosque.com

Education Profile

Some of the most important public and private Universities in Mexico have been founded in Monterrey. These institutions have earned important national and international awards in specialized areas of knowledge, research and development. This recognition ranks the city as one of the best destinations for education in the country.

The “Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León” (UANL) opened its doors in 1933. Nowadays it has about 120,000 students with many different majors, Masters, and PhDs in Engineering, Medicine, Biology, and Earth sciences among other disciplines. This institution is also responsible for important contributions to culture, music, arts, and social sciences.

The “Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey” (ITESM) was founded in 1943 as a result of the vision of Mr. Eugenio Garza Sada and other business leaders of our community. At present time the ITESM has presence in various cities all over Mexico, as well as offices in diverse countries. ITESM is a world wide recognized academic institution for its high-level standards of education and research.

Among some of its most outstanding schools we can mention ITESM’s Virtual University, the Graduates School in Public Administration (EGAP), and the Graduates School on Business Administration (EGADE); all of them contribute to its academic excellence.

The “Universidad de Monterrey” (UDEM) has a widely educational system, with an outstanding work in disciplines such as business administration and family business. It is among the top ten best catholic universities in Latin America.

The “Universidad Regiomontana”, founded in 1969 is another important educative institution famous for its links with productive sectors. It offers competitive programs for its more than 6,000 students.

The Department of Education of Nuevo León has 85 registered education institutions, where we can find important education centers such as: “Centro de Estudios Universitarios”, the “Universidad del Valle de México”, the “Universidad Tecnológica”, the “Universidad Metropolitana de Monterrey”, the “Universidad del Norte”, as well as other specialized institutions like the “Centro de Estudios Superiores de Diseño de Monterrey”, the “Escuela Superior de Música y Danza”, “Arte, A.C.” the “Instituto José Martí”, the “Instituto Culinario de México” and the “Instituto Regiomontano de Hotelería y Turismo”.

Experience Monterrey

EXPERIENCE MONTERREY

Monterrey was officially founded in 1596 and has stood strong with its development, leadership, and strength to face adversities throughout its history.
The first settlers who inhabited the region were indigenous groups. The most important were the "Chichimecas", who lived in tribes in northeastern Mexico. They were regarded as barbarians, and information from historians’ mention that the indigenous groups in the region had a culture of twelve thousand years old.
The city of Monterrey was founded in two attempts before the definitive. The first formal foundation dates back to 1577 when Alberto del Canto established the village of Santa Lucia, which did not have success in its mission due to various causes. The second attempt was led by Luis Carvajal de la Cueva. He founded the town of San Luis Rey in 1582. This second effort failed when the Holy Inquisition took Carvajal prisoner. The neighbors began to migrate to the town of Saltillo and other safe places in order to be protected from the indigenous attacks.
The third and final foundation was led by Diego de Montemayor on September 20th 1596. The city was born under the name of "Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey". The city could have been instituted in accordance with the traditions of the colonizers. For example, as "Villa de Monterrey" or "City of Monterrey¨. From this we can see the great vision of Don Diego de Montemayor, who put the word "Metropolitan" into the foundation act. Not a very common nomination for that era.
Once the city was formally established, the economy of Monterrey's community was based on mining, ranching, agriculture and trade. Regarding the social aspect, the population grew little and suffered from epidemics, such as smallpox in 1798, among others diseases that affected a faster development.
The floods were another
problem that the city endured in a very intense way. With the frequent flooding of the Santa Catarina River in 1612, the city had to be moved to the highest place in the south. Other major floods occurred by the same river in 1636, 1648, 1716, 1752, 1782, 1810, 1909, 1938, 1967 and the "Hurricane Gilbert, September 1988, perhaps the most remembered by the actual generation which were born in the XX Century. Currently, this colossal symbol of Monterrey the Santa Catarina River has been dominated by works of modern engineering to fix the channels and flows at times of rain.
During the nineteenth century, Monterrey began to take the position of one of the country’s major cities. Important events from national to international origin put Monterrey in the position to play a key role in the events that shaped part of Mexico’s history. Such is the case for the Independence of Mexico, the anarchy era, the war with the United States, the War of the Reform, and the War due to the French invasion of the country, just to mention of few of the events that have marked our history.
On September 1846 the city of Monterrey fell into the hands of the military forces of the U.S. In that occasion for some time the public buildings waved the flag of the United States. Later, with the change of borders after the war with the United States, Monterrey found itself with a closer proximity to the US border. This brought many benefits in the development of the city.
During the government of Bernardo Reyes, Monterrey became a strongly industrialized city developing a major economic boost. One of the government initiatives in order to attract foreign investment was a tax exemption for new industries for up to twenty years.
Once into the twentieth century, the Mexican Revolution seriously affected the way of life and economic growth of the "Regiomontanos", the name given to the citizens living in this city.
Many factories closed during the conflict, but later reopened its doors at the end of the civil war.
During the twentieth century Monterrey was consolidated as the capital of industry and services.
Recall that the second phase of industrialization in Mexico occurred during the forties and fifties. Later in the seventies, the population increased greatly because of the continuing migration from rural areas and other cities in Mexico to Monterrey. This was due to job and education opportunities that the city offered.
For more information visit the cultural department Website, (Spanish Only Version).

Gastronomy

Dear visitors of Monterrey,

On behalf of the gastronomic community we would like to extend to you our warmest welcome to Monterrey, a city that has numerous culinary wonders to offer you during your stay with us.

Monterrey is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. Here you will find a level of gastronomy just as high as in any of the best metropolitan areas in the world. With more than 1,000 outstanding restaurants and quality service standards, there is a strong capacity to please tourism needs around the metropolitan area and the State.

The restaurant owners in Monterrey constantly allow for us to honor our visitors with a high value of hygiene and quality food focusing on a warranty of good service, because we know the importance of offering confidence and security for the variety of the culinary styles that identify each restaurant.

If you are seeking to try new foods in Monterrey, because of its enterprising culture, you can find pleasant and simple restaurants generally run by the same owners for many generations, this assures a great respect for the original flavors and traditions of the city. Of course, you can also discover places ready to serve the most modern and sophisticated global cuisine.

In the city, the most enriching and appraised treasures are the traditions and culture that present our identity to the world. The gastronomic heritage is something that Monterrey’s visitors will always remember. Let us show you what we are. We want to make your stay in the city unforgettable. Take your time to try our dishes, such as cabrito, carne asada, or the traditional machacado. Do not miss the unique regional deserts, like the milk candies, which surely will leave you with a very north-eastern memory, very Monterrey.

Give us the opportunity to indulge your senses; we invite you to be part of our tradition.

Félix Rodríguez Cázares
President

Geografía

El Valle de Monterrey está ubicado al pie de la Sierra Madre Oriental, en la antesala de la Llanura Costera del Noreste, y en la vecindad de los terrenos en pendiente que conducen al Altiplano Central en el Norte de México.

El símbolo icónico de la ciudad, es el Cerro de La Silla, la estructura que más miradas llama sobre sí. Con sus 1815 metros de altura y distintiva crestería este coloso de caliza es el extremo culminante de una sierra que se extiende hacia el Sureste hasta las cercanías del municipio de Allende, N.L.

Como guardián oriental de la gran ciudad, las crestas del Cerro de Las Mitras (2040 m), reciben al viajero que arriba desde Coahuila, y despiden al sol Poniente cada tarde. Sus faldas muestran las canteras donde hasta hoy se extrae materia prima para la industria cementera, similar al caso de su romo vecino hacia el Oriente, el Cerro Topochico, falso volcán, que sin embargo alberga en sus faldas manantiales termales. Las estibaciones del Mitras hacia el Sur se extienden en las lomas de San Jerónimo y Vista Hermosa. El célebre Cerro del Obispado, resulta como una reelevación de las mismas estructuras rocosas de estas estibaciones, al igual que la característica Loma Larga.

Formando un afrauctuso contrafuerte al Sur y Sureste de la ciudad, los perfiles de la Sierra Madre Oriental, llamados ante Monterrey “El Cerro del Chipinque” elevan su dramático desnivel desde la llanura, rematando en paredes de roca afiladas, sobre frescos bosques.
Hacia el Noroeste se extiende entre las elevaciones del Cerro de las Mitras y el Cerro del Topochico una región actualmente densamente poblada, el Valle de las Cumbres. Este es un valle doble, puesto que una cadena de colinas, Los Siete Cerritos (650 m), separa el área en un segmento sur, que recibe los escurrimientos de las cañadas de Las Mitras concentradas en el Arroyo El Águila, y un segmento Norte, que contiene al curso superior del Arroyo Topochico.

El Río Santa Catarina, originado en parajes situados profundamente en La Sierra Madre Oriental, discurre por los Valles de Santa Catarina y San Pedro, después de superar el Cañón de la Huasteca, virar pronunciadamente hacia el Oriente, y recibir el desagüe del arroyo El Obispo, al sur del Cerro de las Mitras; penetrando por una angosta abertura entre el Cerro del las Mitras, y la Loma Larga cruza Monterrey al pie de esta, ante el centro tradicional de la ciudad y la populosa Colonia Independencia, continuado hasta el Oriente hasta reunirse con el flujo del Río la Silla entre las cabeceras de Guadalupe y Juárez, continuando en dirección a sus adjuntas con el Río San Juan.

Elaboración: Biólogo David A. González Villarreal

MONTERREY, CIUDAD DE LAS MONTAÑAS

Monterrey es conocida como “La Ciudad de las Montañas” ya que destaca la belleza y majestuosidad de sus imponentes formaciones naturales que enamoran a sus visitantes y a quienes en ella viven.

Durante su visita usted podrá observar al Sur la Sierra Madre Oriental, al Suroeste la Huasteca, al Poniente el Cerro de Las Mitras, al Noroeste el Cerro del Topo Chico y por último, al Sureste, el famoso Cerro de la Silla.

El Cerro de la Silla es el símbolo de la ciudad, sus cumbres se elevan hasta alcanzar una altura de 1,770 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Su nombre se lo debe a la semejanza de su forma con una silla ecuestre, así lo notó el conquistador Alberto del Canto en su recorrido por estas tierras en el año de 1577. Este cerro es considerado monumento natural de la nación por decreto presidencial desde el año 1991.

El Cerro de la Mitras es un imponente cerro ubicado dentro de la ciudad y cuyas cimas en ocasiones se cubren de nieve durante el invierno para ofrecer un hermoso paisaje. Debe su nombre a sus cumbres escarpadas que tienen la forma de una toca alta y apuntada, como la que utilizan los obispos católicos.

La Huasteca es una montaña ubicada al sur de la ciudad de Santa Catarina
N. L., a sólo 20 minutos del centro de la ciudad. Está formada por una serie de altos riscos que forman el Cañón de la Huasteca. Sus formaciones rocosas son idóneas para la práctica del rapel, escalar y otras actividades.

La Sierra Madre Oriental es una enorme cordillera que cruza municipios como San Pedro y todo el Sur de Monterrey. Sus cumbres tienen la forma de una “M”. En una de sus mesetas se encuentra el Parque Ecológico Chipinque, hermoso lugar de exuberante vegetación, lleno de bosques y fauna de la región.

El Cerro del Topo Chico atribuye su nombre por la semejanza que tiene con los topos o perros de la pradera. Es famoso por sus manantiales, aguas termales y se menciona que es un volcán inactivo.

El Cerro del Obispado es considerado como un cerro histórico por muchas razones. Su nombre surge de la residencia episcopal que ahí se edificó en el siglo XVIII. Actualmente alberga al Museo del Obispado y al Mirador Obispado Asta Bandera, desde donde se puede contemplar el espectacular panorama de la ciudad de Monterrey.

Disfruta las montañas de Monterrey donde podrás realizar deportes de aventura, ecoturismo o simplemente disfrutar de una tarde llena de aire fresco y naturaleza.

Health Care City

In recent years Monterrey has significantly increased its infrastructure of hospitals, research centers, and other health services earning the city national and international recognition in diverse specialties.

The city boasts first-class hospitals that participate in the successful project "Monterrey International city of Health". This cluster includes the Hospital San Jose Tec, Hospitals of the Christies Muguerza Group, Cima Santa Engracia, OCA, State University Hospital, Ginequito and Vitro. Some of these have recently been certified by the Joint Commission International. This gives you the confidence that during your visit you will receive the best care with high quality and standards.

Monterrey is host to important universities that offer Medical education, training and permanent medical research programs at a competitive level. The universities most representative of these programs are: The Medical School of “Tecnológico de Monterrey”, the Medical School of “Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León”, and the Medical School of “Universidad de Monterrey” (UDEM).

Due to the high quality and wide availability of medical services, the city of Monterrey has become a receptor for "Health Care Tourism" that annually sends a large number of patients from other cities and countries that come to Monterrey to get specialized medical attention and surgeries.

Some of the special services provided to make your stay more comfortable include language assistance during your stay at the hospital and support with travel arrangements such as bookings and transportation. Some of the most requested services in Monterrey’s hospitals are: plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, orthopedics, eyes treatment and dental care.

For more information visit the Website of Monterrey city of Health organization.

www.www.monterreyciudaddelasalud.com

Historic Sites in Monterrey

Palacio del Obispado.
Built by Fray Rafael Verger, in 1787. It was built to help people who suffered from hunger by a snowstorm, that happened the previous year and caused losses. Bishop gave Verger work for the poor, and ordered to build one palace located on the hill known as "Chepevera."

Catedral de Monterrey.
Located on the streets of Zuazua and Padre Jardón. Starts its construction in 1663, in 1735 was already built the main hall. Approximately was completed in 1791, when it concludes its three arches to stay with three naves.
Capilla de los Dulces Nombres. Located down the street from Dr. Coss and Matamoros, dates from 1850.
Old Palacio Municipal de Monterrey. Located on the streets of Zaragoza and Corregidora, today turned into Metropolitan Museum of Monterrey. Construction start in 1789 and for 1850 already showed some of the details that currently presents. In its second floor has an engraving on the top of one of its doors, dating from 1886.

Edificio del Colegio Civil.
Aula Magna, located in the College of Civil street between the streets on May 5 and Washington. Its construction dates back about 1870.
Edificio de la Estación de Trenes. Casa de la Cultura, the station (el Golfo) located along the streets of Columbus and Emilio Carranza. He served as Terminal Railway which ran to the Gulf. Its construction dates from the late nineteenth century.
Casa del Campesino. Located on the streets of Mina from the streets of Abasolo and Ocampo, was hospital and then College of Mines. It was built as a house of the governor.

Palacio de Gobierno.
The Palacio de Gobierno is the northern border of the Macroplaza. This building began to be built in 1895 and was completed in 1908

Antiguo Palacio Federal
Is an example of architecture before the revolution. On August 28, 1928 was completed

History

Monterrey was officially founded in 1596 and has stood strong with its development, leadership, and strength to face adversities throughout its history.

The first settlers who inhabited the region were indigenous groups. The most important were the "Chichimecas", who lived in tribes in northeastern Mexico. They were regarded as barbarians, and information from historians’ mention that the indigenous groups in the region had a culture of twelve thousand years old.

The city of Monterrey was founded in two attempts before the definitive. The first formal foundation dates back to 1577 when Alberto del Canto established the village of Santa Lucia, which did not have success in its mission due to various causes. The second attempt was led by Luis Carvajal de la Cueva. He founded the town of San Luis Rey in 1582. This second effort failed when the Holy Inquisition took Carvajal prisoner. The neighbors began to migrate to the town of Saltillo and other safe places in order to be protected from the indigenous attacks.

The third and final foundation was led by Diego de Montemayor on September 20th 1596. The city was born under the name of "Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey". The city could have been instituted in accordance with the traditions of the colonizers. For example, as "Villa de Monterrey" or "City of Monterrey¨. From this we can see the great vision of Don Diego de Montemayor, who put the word "Metropolitan" into the foundation act. Not a very common nomination for that era.

Once the city was formally established, the economy of Monterrey's community was based on mining, ranching, agriculture and trade. Regarding the social aspect, the population grew little and suffered from epidemics, such as smallpox in 1798, among others diseases that affected a faster development.

The floods were another problem that the city endured in a very intense way. With the frequent flooding of the Santa Catarina River in 1612, the city had to be moved to the highest place in the south. Other major floods occurred by the same river in 1636, 1648, 1716, 1752, 1782, 1810, 1909, 1938, 1967 and the "Hurricane Gilbert, September 1988, perhaps the most remembered by the actual generation which were born in the XX Century. Currently, this colossal symbol of Monterrey the Santa Catarina River has been dominated by works of modern engineering to fix the channels and flows at times of rain.

During the nineteenth century, Monterrey began to take the position of one of the country’s major cities. Important events from national to international origin put Monterrey in the position to play a key role in the events that shaped part of Mexico’s history. Such is the case for the Independence of Mexico, the anarchy era, the war with the United States, the War of the Reform, and the War due to the French invasion of the country, just to mention of few of the events that have marked our history.

On September 1846 the city of Monterrey fell into the hands of the military forces of the U.S. In that occasion for some time the public buildings waved the flag of the United States. Later, with the change of borders after the war with the United States, Monterrey found itself with a closer proximity to the US border. This brought many benefits in the development of the city.

During the government of Bernardo Reyes, Monterrey became a strongly industrialized city developing a major economic boost. One of the government initiatives in order to attract foreign investment was a tax exemption for new industries for up to twenty years.

Once into the twentieth century, the Mexican Revolution seriously affected the way of life and economic growth of the "Regiomontanos", the name given to the citizens living in this city.
Many factories closed during the conflict, but later reopened its doors at the end of the civil war.
During the twentieth century Monterrey was consolidated as the capital of industry and services.

Recall that the second phase of industrialization in Mexico occurred during the forties and fifties. Later in the seventies, the population increased greatly because of the continuing migration from rural areas and other cities in Mexico to Monterrey. This was due to job and education opportunities that the city offered.

For more information visit the cultural department Website: (Spanish Only Version).

www.cutura.monterrey.gob.mx