The satellite galaxies of the Milky Way are very important both for the studies of the formation and evolution of galaxies and for the research on the dark matter problem. In the present review paper some structural properties of the Local Group, as well as of the dwarf spheroidal galaxies that compose this astrophysical system are presented. Special emphasis is paid to the satellite galaxies of the Milky Way and their spatial distribution on the disk of satellites (DoS). Furthermore, the more relevant recent studies related to the formation of the disk of satellites of the Milky Way are mentioned.