Nuevo León (redirected from Estado Libre y Soberano de Nuevo León)

Nuevo León (nwā`vō lāōn`), state (1990 pop. 3,098,736), 25,136 sq mi (65,102 sq km), N Mexico. Monterrey is the capital. The southern and western parts of the state are traversed by the Sierra Madre Oriental, but some of the extreme western portions lie within the vast, semiarid basin lands of N Mexico, which are cultivable under irrigation. Much of the north is arid cactus country, but to the east, where the plains sweep down toward the lowlands of Tamaulipas and are crossed by several large rivers, the land is suitable for agriculture. Grains and citrus fruits are grown. Nuevo León has an extremely diversified industrial structure which includes oil refining and extensive heavy and light manufacturing. The growth of maquiladoras, foreign-owned industrial plants that produce U.S. exported goods, has become prevalent. The area is also a leading national producer of iron, steel, and chemicals. Road and rail connections within the state are excellent, and Nuevo León enjoys one of the highest living standards in Mexico. The area was explored and settled by the Spanish in the late 16th cent. Nuevo León became a state in 1824. It was occupied by U.S. troops during the Mexican War, amid fierce resistance.

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Nuevo León

State (pop., 2000: 3,834,141), northeastern Mexico. It covers an area of 25,067 sq mi (64,924 sq km), and its capital is Monterrey. The Sierra Madre Oriental crosses the state from northwest to southeast. The region became a state in 1824 and was occupied by U.S. troops during the Mexican War. Its iron and steel industries were the first heavy industry in Latin America; the state also supports agricultural and textile enterprises.