Peaks and bodies of water

Peaks

The Sierra Madre Oriental runs across the state from northwest to southeast, creating temperate woodlands. Monterrey is surrounded by this sierra, the Cerro del Topo Chico and the Cerro de la Silla –it is sometimes called the “city of mountains.”

Terrain

The northern portion of the state is flat and belongs to the North American Plains. Below these plains and up to the Sierra Madre Oriental the terrain is inclined; this area is part of the Northern Gulf Plains. The southern portion of the state belongs to the Mexican High Plains.

The municipal seat in a highest elevation is Dr. Arroyo, 720 meters above median sea level. The lowest is Los Aldamas, 90 m amsl. Monterrey has an elevation of 540 m asl.

Rivers

Most rivers have seasonal currents except on their middle and lower parts. None is navigable. Most of them from in the Sierra Madre Oriental and flow into the Bravo, San Fernando or Soto Marina rivers in Tamaulipas.

Water reservoirs

• El Cuchillo
• José López Portillo (Cerro Prieto)
• Rodrigo Gómez ( La Boca)
• Agualeguas
• Sombreretillo
• El Porvenir
• Loma Larga
• Lagunas
• Salinillas
• El Negro