Abstract: Classification methods suitable for rural envi-ronmental quality regionalization is presented in this paper:first,princlpal components analysis is used in the analysis ofrural environmental quality: then, cluster analyses are em-ployed to produce an initial zones system; finally,discriminantfunction anslysis is applied in identifying the initial zones sys-tem;some units that belong to inappropriate zones are adjust-ed, and the ultimate zones system is obtained. Problems con-cerning the formation of initial zones system are discussed onthe last part of this paper. 

Key words: classification methods, principal componentsanalysis, cluster analyses, discriminant function analysis