Actual Problems of Bulgarian Rural Regions

Veselin BOYADZHIEV1
 1“St. Kliment Ohridski” University, Faculty of Geology and Geography, Department of Social and Economic Geography, Sofia, BULGARIA
E-mail: v.boiadjiev@abv.bg
Pages: 125-128

Abstract.  In Bulgarian Regional Development, rural regions hold an important place. They are new elements in the organization of Bulgarian territory, imposed by its membership into the European Union. More than 40% of the Bulgarian population lives in the rural regions. They cover more than 80% of the national territory. The main problems of their development are: depopulation, poverty, weak economy, poor infrastructure, low management capacity. Rural regions have been drawn up by the administrative municipalities (obshtini). Their activity does not meet the needs of local development. We need an administrative-territorial reform, especially at the local level. Cross-border collaboration is minimal, too. Unfortunately, the participation of geographers in the development of rural region is insignificant. It is not organized and it is from time to time and here and there.

K e y w o r d s:  rural region, regional development, Bulgaria, municipality/obshtina