[6] The municipality is on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, almost entirely on the lower slopes of volcano La Malinche with an average altitude of 2500 m AMSL.

[8] There is no surface water except for streams that run during the rainy season and a freshwater spring on the side of La Malinche Volcano.

[4] Only vestiges of the area's original Madrean pine-oak woodlands and grassland survive, mostly on Xalapasco hill and in the extreme west of the municipality.

[7][2] Urbanization of the area has led to problems with garbage and water pollution, but the most serious issue is soil erosion due to deforestation and overgrazing.

There have been reforestation efforts, mostly pine species, but these have not been sufficient to stop further environmental damage from unchecked running water and wind coming down from La Malinche.