[1] The municipality covers an area of 264.1 square kilometres (102.0 sq mi) at an altitude of 770 metres (2,530 ft) above sea level.

Birds include red-billed pigeon, quail, macaw, parrot, chachalaca, parakeet, magpies, woodpeckers, eagles, crows, buzzards, owls, doves, canaries, vultures, partridges, herons and roadrunners.

[1] In September 2005 the local people were resisting pressure from state authorities to grant licenses for forestry and for sand and gravel extraction.

In turn, the authorities accused the villagers of harboring armed rebel gangs and attempted to annul the elections of local officials.

[4] In April 2009, 15 trucks filled with armed federal troops surrounded the village of San Miguel Panixtlahuaca and erected road blocks to prevent anyone from entering or leaving, then combed the houses in search of weapons.