The plateau begins at the southwestern foot of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt.
It is considered a region of temperate land, irrigated by the Lerma River and its tributaries.
It has several lakes, like Lake Pátzcuaro, Lake Cuitzeo, and Lake Zirahuén.
The Tarascan Plateau has a strong indigenous peoples presence. The Purépecha were dedicated to agriculture and forestry.
It was the location of the Purépecha culture during the Mesoamerican Postclassical period. Some of its principal pre-Columbian and present day population centers were/are Pátzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan.