Cistella is part of the Empordà region, in the province of Girona. The municipality has an area of 26 km2 and 130 m. altitude.
The first news of this is known as VILLA CESTELLA in the county of Besalú in 947 in the act of consecration of Santa Maria de Finestres.
The limits of the municipality are to the north with Terrades and Llers, to the east with Vilanant, to the south with Navata and to the west with Cabanelles and Lladó. It has the nuclei of La Mare de Déu de Vida, La Ribera de les Planes, Sant Baldiri and Vilarig. It is twinned with the town of Zerain (Euskalerria).
It has the Mossèn Josep Maria Albert School, a mini-dump, a postal service, a civic center, a Trull room, a football pitch and a municipal swimming pool.