Monterrey IPA: [ˌmontɛˈrei] (Spanish: Monterrey) is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León and a municipality of the same name. Also known as the "City of the Mountains" and "Sultana del Norte" (Sultan of the North), the city is a modern industrial and business center.The metropolitan area has the highest GDP per capita of all metropolitan areas in Mexico and is the second largest area after Greater Mexico City. The whole metropolitan area has been ranked as having the highest GDP per capita and as the most secure conurbation in Latin America in 2005 The city is named after the Countess of Monterrei (a city in Galicia, Spain) wife of the Viceroy of New Spain Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo, Count of Monterrey.