ABSTRACT. - Drought: concept, genesis, attributes and classification. The study proposes clarifying theoretical issues relating to the drought phenomenon. Thus, after defining the concept of drought we analyzed in detail the causes that generate this phenomenon (natural and artificial). Particular attention is given to the temporal attributes (onset, duration, end, persistence, frequency), space (area of operation) and energy (intensity).Finally the drought is classified according to evolutionary stages of the phenomenon, duration, the time of year in which they occur, the affected area and the induced effects.
Key words: drought, concept, genesis, attributes, classification