[1] As municipal seat, the city of Petatlán is the local governing authority for over 730 named communities, with a combined territory of 2,071.7 km2 (799.9 sq mi) (inegi).

(inegi) Outside the seat, the most populous are San Jeronimito, Coyuquilla (norte), Palos Blancos and El Mameyal.

Rugged mountains cover about 70% of the surface, mostly in the north and center, formed by the Sierra Madre del Sur and reach a height of 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level.

Major rivers are the Coyuquilla, Petatlán and San Jeronimito, with a number of arroyos such as the Camotal, La Morena, El Comalate and Coyuca.

There are small lakes and lagoons such as the Santiago, Estero Valentín, Salina el Cuajo and Tular.

[2] Most of the vegetation is low- and medium-altitude rain forest, whose trees often lose their leaves in the late fall.

Wildlife include deer, iguanas, rabbits, armadillos, tejon, raccoons, opossums, skunks, wild cats, buzzards, various types of parrots and other birds.

The forests contains harvestable species such as black sapote, ceiba, white oak, mahogany and red cedar?

This site has had pieces recovered from it since the first half of the 20th century, but formal excavation has only occurred in the past decade.

Livestock include, in order of importance, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, horses and domestic fowl.

Industry is limited to a soap factory in San Jeronimito and small establishments which dry coconut kernels (copra).