Monterrey is a major industrial center among cities in Mexico, second only to the nation's capital. As a result of its strong steel industry, it is often called "the Pittsburgh of Mexico". The city has prominent positions in sectors such as steel, cement, glass, auto parts, and beer. In 1999 Fortune magazine voted Monterrey as the best city in Latin America in which to do business. The magazine attributes its economic wealth in part to its proximity with the United States-Mexican border and mentions Monterrey as a significant city with economic links to the United States, recognized around the world for its entrepreneurial character. Monterrey is considered one of the best cities for business in the world.

There are two international airports: General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (served by major international carriers) and Del Norte International Airport. Monterrey is linked through frequent direct flights to many Mexican cities and to key American hubs (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Ft Worth, Los Angeles,, Houston, Miami, New York JFK). There is also a direct flight to Madrid, Spain. There is no public transportation from the Mariano Escobedo Airport to the city.
The mountains that surround Monterrey offer a breathtaking landscape and harbor an almost endless number of canyons, trails and roads, crossing deserts and forests. These trails vary in their difficulty from super easy to those for the expert rockclimber only. The ones below are just some of the better-known, accessible ones.