The city of Papantla is the governing authority for over 500 other named communities which cover a territory of 1,199.26km2.
About a third of the municipality's population of 152,863 (2005) live in the city proper.
The city and municipality still has strong communities of Totonacs, with about 25% of the municipality's population speaking an indigenous language.
The overwhelming majority identify themselves as Catholic but about ten percent are evangelical Christian.
Papantla borders the municipalities of Cazones de Herrera, Tecolutla, Gutiérrez Zamora, Martínez de la Torre, Espinal, Coatzintla, Tihuatlán and Poza Rica as well the state of Puebla to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the east.

The municipality is located in the Sierra Papanteca, which is a series of low mountains with numerous valleys.
The most notable peaks are the La Jarana, Pelón, El campanario, La Palma, De la Cruz, Del Jazmín, del Grillo, de Dolores and Del Clavel.
Small rivers which feed into the Tecolutla, and Texistepec Rivers pass through here, such as the Tlahuanapa, Santa Agueda and the Poza Verde.
The area is heavily forested with subtropical perennial foliage with trees such as the heliocarpus, laurel, cedar and ceiba.
It contains 17 km of mostly virgin beaches.
The coastline includes the Boquila Estuary, Playa Chichinit, Rancho Playa, Playa Olmo, Tenixtepec and Boca de Lima.
Most of the animal life consists of small mammals such as rabbits, raccoons and coyotes along with various species of birds and snakes.
The area is considered to be tropical rainforest with most rain falling between May and August.
September and October are notable for the occasional hurricane.

About 75% of the municipality's land is dedicated to agriculture and pasture, with about 47% of the municipality's population dedicated to it, as well as crafts.
Main crops include corn, beans, chili peppers and oranges.
Livestock raised here includes cattle, pigs, sheep and horses.
There is some logging done.
There is some industry here, much of which is the packing and shipping of oranges.
Tourism is becoming an important part of the economy, based on the area's archeological sites, beaches and traditions, especially the Danza de los Voladores.

The El Tajín archeological zone was one of the major cities of ancient Mesoamerica which existed between 800 and 1150 C.E.  It has an extension of 105,555m2 with 165 buildings and 17 ball courts.
The main attraction is the Pyramid of the Niches.
It also has a site museum.
At the Tajin site every year is the Cumbre Tajin Festival which falls on the spring equinox.
It celebrates Totonac heritage with concerts, conferences, food, cultural events workshops and more.
Another archeological zone is Cuyuxquihui, which extends about thirty hectares.
It contains various pre-Hispanic structures of which the military fort and the ceremonial center stand out.
It is located about 37 km from the city.

There are also two ecological parks called Kiwíkgolo and Xanath.
The city of Papantla is the governing authority for over 500 other named communities which cover a territory of 1,199.26km2. About a third of the municipality's population of 152,863 (2005) live in the city proper. The city and municipality still has strong communities of Totonacs, with about 25% of the municipality's population speaking an indigenous language. The overwhelming majority identify themselves as Catholic but about ten percent are evangelical Christian. Papantla borders the municipalities of Cazones de Herrera, Tecolutla, Gutiérrez Zamora, Martínez de la Torre, Espinal, Coatzintla, Tihuatlán and Poza Rica as well the state of Puebla to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the east.
The municipality is located in the Sierra Papanteca, which is a series of low mountains with numerous valleys. The most notable peaks are the La Jarana, Pelón, El campanario, La Palma, De la Cruz, Del Jazmín, del Grillo, de Dolores and Del Clavel. Small rivers which feed into the Tecolutla, and Texistepec Rivers pass through here, such as the Tlahuanapa, Santa Agueda and the Poza Verde. The area is heavily forested with subtropical perennial foliage with trees such as the heliocarpus, laurel, cedar and ceiba. It contains 17 km of mostly virgin beaches. The coastline includes the Boquila Estuary, Playa Chichinit, Rancho Playa, Playa Olmo, Tenixtepec and Boca de Lima. Most of the animal life consists of small mammals such as rabbits, raccoons and coyotes along with various species of birds and snakes. The area is considered to be tropical rainforest with most rain falling between May and August. September and October are notable for the occasional hurricane.
About 75% of the municipality's land is dedicated to agriculture and pasture, with about 47% of the municipality's population dedicated to it, as well as crafts. Main crops include corn, beans, chili peppers and oranges. Livestock raised here includes cattle, pigs, sheep and horses. There is some logging done. There is some industry here, much of which is the packing and shipping of oranges. Tourism is becoming an important part of the economy, based on the area's archeological sites, beaches and traditions, especially the Danza de los Voladores.
The El Tajín archeological zone was one of the major cities of ancient Mesoamerica which existed between 800 and 1150 C.E.  It has an extension of 105,555m2 with 165 buildings and 17 ball courts. The main attraction is the Pyramid of the Niches. It also has a site museum. At the Tajin site every year is the Cumbre Tajin Festival which falls on the spring equinox. It celebrates Totonac heritage with concerts, conferences, food, cultural events workshops and more. Another archeological zone is Cuyuxquihui, which extends about thirty hectares. It contains various pre-Hispanic structures of which the military fort and the ceremonial center stand out. It is located about 37 km from the city.
There are also two ecological parks called Kiwíkgolo and Xanath.
Papantla