VISITING Nuevo Leon

Nuevo Leon has an arid climate.  There are three geographic regions to Nuevo Leon: semi-dry, desert, and temperate mountain zones.  The large city of Monterrey receives water from the San Juan River.  The mountainous region has pine and oak forests in many areas.  The plains feature flora like agave and yucca.  This region is popular for tourism. Tourist activities include rappel, rock climb, and camp.  The state is also known for its caves, waterfalls, and scenic vistas.  The desert regions are filled with dramatic scenes that also attract tourists.  Cumbres National Park is in the Sierra Madre Oriental near Monterrey and is a famous tourist attraction.  Animals in the area include bobcats, white-tailed deer, boars, badgers, and roadrunners.

Archeologists assert that people were hunting and gathering in the region of Nuevo Leon by 8900 B.C.  They also maintain that nearly 250 indigenous tribes were in the area and many around the part of present-day Monterrey.  However, by the time of Spanish arrival, the region did not boast significant settlements.  Home tribes were still mostly nomadic, relying on hunting and gathering practices.  Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca came to Nuevo Leon in 1535.  However, significant colonization efforts did not occur until the 1600s.  During this time missionaries were trying to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism.  

In the late 18th century Silver and gold mining depleted the region’s stores. Then the Catholic Church began to establish convents and seminaries.  The area considerable political instability after the War of Independence.  Industrialization for the state did not begin to progress until a road linking Monterrey with Mexico City.  Nuevo Leon was one of the earliest countries to support the Mexican Revolution.   In the years after the revolution, Nuevo Leon thrives as a cattle ranching state.  The capital, Monterrey, is a northern hub for industry and finance in the country.