In the settled areas the climate is hot and humid with abundant rainfall in summer.

Trees include morillo, oak and juniper, and fruit-bearing peach, apricot, pomegranates, figs and hawthorn.

Local birds include chachalaca, quail, dove, sparrow, goldfinch, orioles, hawks and eagles.

According to the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, there were only 8 speakers of the Ixcateco (Xwja) language in 2008.

[2] Most of the population is engaged in cultivation of maize, beans, wheat and barley, and also in manufacture of artisan products made from palms.