It is part of Juchitán District in the west of the Istmo de Tehuantepec region.

The municipality covers an area of 680.01 km², watered by the Niltepec river which rises in the mountains and flows to the lower lagoon.

Wildlife includes wild boar, raccoon, squirrel, armadillo and iguana.

Economic activities include cultivation of corn, sesame, sorghum, melon and watermelon, cattle farming and production of Mezcal and traditional textiles.

[1] There are plans to develop wind farms in the municipality, but these have met local resistance due to the communal ownership of land and concerns about the annual rental prices offered, $98 to $117 per hectare.