Monterrey, capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, is Mexico's second biggest industrial center and third-biggest city. Monterrey's strategic location near the U.S. border, combined with a diligent, skilled and well-educated work force, and access to key natural resources, have helped make it what it is today -headquarters of the largest corporations, including cement giant Cemex, beer maker Cervecer a Cuauht moc and leading glass manufacturer Vitro.
The city is also an important site for numerous other Mexican industries, including textile, trucks, buses, furniture, tile and chemicals, as well as about 100 assembly plants, or maquiladoras -a fact that earned the city its nickname, the "Sultan of the North."
Monterrey is also the most important city in the northeastern region with its four major universities and five small colleges. This focus on education also brought many cultural activities, first-class hotels, restaurants and excellent medical facilities to Monterrey.
