Monterrey does not have an ancient Indian history
Nomads who passed through the region left few traces of their presence. In 1584, the first Spanish settlers under Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva arrived here and established the outpost Ojos de Santa Lucía. It wasn’t until eleven years later that twelve Spanish families under the leadership of Diego de Montemayor made their home here, naming their village Villa de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey after the reigning viceroy, the Count of Monterrey. In 1775, the isolated settlement numbered only 258 inhabitants who often had to defend their homes against nomadic Indians. Troops occupied the village during the war between Mexico and the USA and French troops took the city in 1864. The city’s fortunes changed only in 1882 when the railroad between Laredo and Monterrey was built. The city’s economy has been growing ever since. EconomyThe favourable location in terms of transport connections have led to the rise of Monterrey as a centre for heavy industry. Consumer goods manufacturing in the area is based on the production of glass, cement, textiles and synthetic materials. An important factor is also the production of food and beer. Monterrey can take pride in its Instituto Tecnológico, which ranks as one of the best and largest Technical Universities in Latin America.
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