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.