Monterrey, the third largest metro area in Mexico, is not just a prosperous city with a need for more workers, but also a high-profile waystation — an increasingly important logistical hub for people fleeing violence and economies ravaged by nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are six things to know about the city.
Sister cities
Dallas and Monterrey have been sister cities since 1988. “The program aims to build global cooperation at the municipal level by promoting cultural understanding and stimulating economic development between Dallas and its foreign counterparts,” according to Dallas’ Office of Economic Development.
Lots of residents
The metro area of Monterrey, the capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, is home to more than 5 million people. By comparison, the D-FW metro area has about 7.7 million residents.
Big sports town
Monterrey, like Dallas, is a big sports town. The Monterrey soccer teams C.F. Monterrey, known as Rayados, and Tigres UANL have a large fan base in Dallas. In turn, the Dallas Cowboys have a large following in Monterrey. Isaac Alarcón, who is on the Cowboys practice squad, is from Monterrey.
Home to Topo Chico
Topo Chico, the mineral water, has been sourced from and bottled in Monterrey since 1895, according to the company website.
Beer and tortillas
Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, a major brewery in Monterrey, produces such brands as Dos Equis, Tecate and Sol. Meanwhile, Gruma, based in a Monterrey suburb, is one of the world’s leading tortilla and corn flour producers, according to the company’s website. Gruma’s U.S. headquarters are in Irving.
Dallas mayor’s visit
Last spring, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson visited Mexico City and Monterrey as part of his first international trip since he took office in 2019. He met with Mexican government officials and business leaders to promote connections with Dallas.
