As municipal seat, the city of Puerto Peñasco has governing jurisdiction over 27 other named communities,[3] which cover a territory of 9,774.5 square kilometres (3,774.0 sq mi).

[4] The land is generally flat with the small mountain range of Sonoyta to the north and east of the area.

Most of the territory is the Altar Desert, which extends north and east of the city, and a volcanic zone called Sierra El Pinacate.

[7] Most vegetation and animal life is typical for sandy deserts, scrub brush, reptiles (including the Gila monster) and small mammals.

In spite of this, the area contains a wide variety of wildlife and evidence of human habitation from ancient times, which has attracted the attention of both tourists and researchers.

The rocks are capped in white like the Alps, not with snow, but with the guano of innumerable sea birds such as seagulls and pelicans, which live here.

The Guarijíos have a wide variety of crafts such as figures made with natural materials such as palm fronds and clay.

Other groups include the Opatas, the Papagos, the Pimas, the Seris, the Yaquis, the Cucapa, and the Kikapu, all of whom are noted for basketmaking using desert plants.