Monterrey is Mexico's modern-day commercial and industrial powerhouse. Many of Mexico's biggest companies are headquartered here; it is also a huge area for maquliadoras, factories where goods are assembled, often from foreign components, to be exported once again for sale in the USA, Europe and Asia.The city's main square, Plaza Makro, is one of the largest in the world; but it was created in the 1980's with efficiency in mind; people here don't stroll around admiring the architecture, they are probably late for their next business appointment.