Monterrey

This article is about the Mexican city; for other uses, see Monterrey (disambiguation).

History

In the mid 1500s, the area was unexplored by the Spanish and known as Extremadura Valley. Several unsuccessful expeditions led by Alberto del Canto had tried to colonize the area. An expedition led by Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva established a settlement in the area called San Luis Re di Francia but was frustrated by the Inquisition and the persecution of the Sephardim among the colonists. A third expedition of twelve families led by Diego de Montemayor founded Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey (Metropolitan City of Our Lady of Monterrey, now only Monterrey) on September 20, 1596, next to a spring called Ojos de Agua de Santa Lucia, where the National Museum of Mexican History is now located.

Related Topics:
1500s - Extremadura Valley - Alberto del Canto - Luis Carvajal y de la Cueva - Inquisition - Sephardi - Diego de Montemayor - September 20 - 1596 - Santa Lucia

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During the years of Spanish Rule, Monterrey was a place that connected trade between San Antonio (nowadays in Texas), Tampico, and Saltillo. Tampico's port brought many products from Europe, while Saltillo concentrated the Northern Territories trade with the capital, Mexico City. San Antonio was the key trade point with the northern foreign colonies (British and French).

Related Topics:
San Antonio - Texas - Tampico - Saltillo - Europe - Mexico City

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After the Mexican Independence War, Monterrey rose as a key economical center for the newly formed nation, especially due to its balanced ties between Europe (with its connections to Tampico), the United States (with its connections to San Antonio), and the capital (through Saltillo). However, the anarchy that followed the first 50 years of the new country allowed for two American Invasions, and a secession war. Monterrey became capital of the State of Nuevo León, which during its endeavor to become an independent country, annexed the state of Coahuila.

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Most of the generals in the Mexican War against France are indigenous to this city, including Mariano Escobedo, Juan Zuazua and Jerónimo Treviño.

Related Topics:
Mariano Escobedo - Juan Zuazua - Jerónimo Treviño

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During the last decade of the 19th Century, the city of Monterrey gained access to the railroads, which benefitted industry. It was during this period that José Eleuterio González, "Gonzalitos", founded the Colegio Civil, an early effort to create a university in Nuevo León, he also founded the Hospital Civil which is one of the best public hospitals in the northeast of Mexico nowadays, and also serves as medicine school support to the Facultad de Medicina de la UANL, making it a teaching/community-serving facility in the present.

Related Topics:
Gonzalitos - Colegio Civil - Hospital Civil - Facultad de Medicina de la UANL

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Eugenio Garza Sada also founded, in 1943, the largest private university in Latin America, the Monterrey Institute of Technology (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, ITESM, or Tec). This university has evolved into one of the leading business schools in Latin America, and it also excels in engineering disciplines.

Related Topics:
Eugenio Garza Sada - Monterrey Institute of Technology

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By the mid 20th century, in a country where state-owned companies sustained the economy, Monterrey shone brightly as one of the most important economic districts in the land due to its strong private sector and fierce sense of independence.

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In the last decades of the 20th century, El Norte, a newspaper founded by Junco de la Vega, became important due to its efforts to denounce government corruption, and due to its principles of independence in journalism. Today, the newspaper has evolved into the Reforma news group, comprising the original El Norte, Reforma in Mexico City, Mural in Guadalajara and Palabra in Saltillo.

Related Topics:
El Norte - Junco de la Vega - Reforma - Mural - Palabra - Saltillo

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In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused great damage to the city, flooding the Santa Catarina River and causing deaths and economic damage.

Related Topics:
1988 - Hurricane Gilbert

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In 2002, the United Nations' Forum for Economic Development was held in the city, grouping heads of state and heads of government from over 50 countries. Cuban President Fidel Castro left the meeting before U.S President George W. Bush arrived: Castro alleged the Mexican government asked him to leave to prevent an uncomfortable encounter between the two.

Related Topics:
2002 - United Nations - Forum for Economic Development - Fidel Castro - George W. Bush

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In 2007, Monterrey will hold the Universal Forum of Cultures.

Related Topics:
2007 - Universal Forum of Cultures

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