The municipality of Susticacán lies at an elevation between 2,000 and 3,000 metres (6,600–9,800 ft) in the Sierra de los Cardos [es] in west-central Zacatecas.

[7] Susticacán's climate ranges from temperate in the higher elevations of the west to semiarid in the east, with dry winters.

[10] The first indigenous inhabitants of the region, a Zacatecos band of Chichimeca, were not subdued by force from Spanish conquistadors, but rather became integrated into the government of New Spain with the establishment of the Catholic faith.

The town of Santo Tomás de Etsosticacán was founded in 1562 by local indigenous peoples under the leadership of Andrés Melchor.

In the 17th century, this led to the acquisition of additional land due to social organization and the collective efforts of residents, including the work of religious congregations such as the Brotherhood of the Virgin of the Assumption (also called La Virgen del Rayo).

In 1648, Juan Antonio, the indigenous steward of the Brotherhood, purchased a large tract of land the mountains and with his family founded the ranch Chiquihuitillo, a community in the municipality of Susticacán known today as El Chiquihuite.

[4] The municipal government of Susticacán comprises a president, a councillor (Spanish: síndico),[4] and seven trustees (regidores), four elected by relative majority and three by proportional representation.