Abstract

In this study typology of rural areas is examined, on the base of the official definition applied in Bulgaria and the definition most often used in EU countries – the OECD definition. The latter definition delimits two levels – local and regional. The local includes LAU 1/2, which for Bulgaria is municipality or settlement (in this research municipality is used), and the regional level is NUTS 3 and corresponds to a district. Recommendations are made on the base of the established conclusions about the use of the concept "rural areas" and the necessity of change of the concept "municipality" is justified.