San Nicolás de los Garza, sometimes known only as San Nicolás, is a city and coextensive municipality in the Mexican state of Nuevo León that is part of the Monterrey metropolitan area. It has become primarily a city for residences and family houses, although it still has several factories that tend to relocate to the periphery of the metropolitan area. It is the third-largest city in the state, behind Monterrey and Guadalupe. It houses the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Autonomous University of Nuevo León), one of the most prestigious public schools in Mexico and Latin America. San Nicolás, although less populated than Monterrey, has the higher population density. History San Nicolás de los Garza was founded on 5 February 1597 and given the name of Estancia de Pedro de la Garza (Pedro de la Garza’s Estate), then Estancia de San Nicolás (Saint Nicholas’ Estate), and finally Estancia de San Nicolás de los Garza (Saint Nicholas of the Garzas’ Estate). San Nicolás was founded right after Monterrey, when Diego de Montemayor granted permission to inhabit the area to his secretary, Diego Díaz de Berlanga; Pedro de Iñigo; Domingo Manuel; and Pedro de la Garza. The members of these families are considered the first settlers of the city. Diego Díaz de Berlanga was the person that redacted Monterrey's Foundation Act, and authorized the first land permissions to its first settlers. In 1830 the area was declared to the category of village, with the name of San Nicolás de los Garza, in honor of the patron saint of the town. On 12 May 1970 it was declared a city. Government San Nicolás de los Garza is a municipality governed by a democratically elected Presidente Municipal (Municipal President or Mayor) for three years with no right to reelection. The political environment is one of civility. Since the 1980s, the PAN has remained in office. The City Council of San Nicolás de los Garza (Cabildo de San Nicolás de los Garza) is an organ integrated by the Mayor, the Regidores and the Síndicos. The Mayor is the executor of the determinations of the City Council and the person directly in charge of the public municipal administration. The Regidores represent the community and their mission is to collectively define the city policies in all the subjects affecting it. The Síndicos are in charge of watching and legally defend the city interests, as well as in