The objective of the research is to study the influence of the municipality geography on the level of socioeconomic development as the main indicator of the development sustainability of territories. Districts of the Rostov region were differentiated in terms of socioeconomic development and their geographical location. On the basis of socioeconomic development the districts were grouped into problem-free, developing, and problem rural territories. Problem territories were divided into recessive (stagnation) and depressive (crisis) ones. According geographical location there were released the following territory types: satellite-recreational, transit, and remote. It is found that only 12 % of the municipalities of the Rostov region do not require government support, while 7 % require such support to preserve their achieved status. The remaining 81 % belong to problematic areas, and 20 municipalities require strong support. Comparison of the areas in terms of socioeconomic development and geographical location confirmed the sustainable development of the areas situated near district center. There are practically no depressed regions near the regional center. Municipalities located far from district centers have low level of socioeconomic development.
Keywords: sustainable development, socioeconomic development, government support, municipality, municipality produce.
