Monterrey's  strategic location near the US 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 country's largest corporations,  including cement giant Cemex, beer maker Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc, and leading glass manufacturer Vitro.

The city is also an important site for numerous other  Mexican industries, as well as about 100 assembly plants, or maquiladoras. Many US firms, such as International Harvester, John Deere, and Caterpillar, have  factories here.

Monterrey is also  the most important city in the north-eastern region for its institutions of higher learning (there are four major universities and five small colleges), cultural activities, first-class hotels, restaurants and excellent medical  facilities.

This thriving  metropolis is the country's third-largest city, with about 3 million inhabitants  living in the metropolitan area, which includes six municipalities. Nestled  at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, in a 1,800-foot-high valley, the city  is dominated by a uniquely shaped 5,700-foot peak called Cerro de la Silla, or  Saddle Hill. Temperatures over 80 degrees F. are common from April through October, making you appreciate that all major hotels are air-conditioned. During the winter, nights can get very crisp and chilly, and a thick sweater or jacket  is necessary. It generally rains in August and September.

Founded in 1596 by Don Diego de Montemayor, the city was named in honor of the Viceroy of New Spain. In 1612 disastrous floods wiped out much of the original city, but the  imprint of the Spanish colonial era can still be seen in the Barrio Antiguo, or Old Quarter, located just behind the cathedral.

Just 145 miles from  the Texas border, Monterrey is a weekend attraction for those living in the southern part of the United States. Daily flights on Mexicana, Aeromexico and  Continental connect with major cities in Mexico, as well as with several US  cities. There are also direct flights to Toronto on Canadian Airlines  International, and to border areas on Aerolitoral, Aeromexico's regional  carrier. Excellent highways connect Monterrey with cities in Mexico and the United States.