Bucak (also known as nahiye) is the Turkish word for subdistrict, literally meaning "corner." In principle, all Turkish provinces () are divided into districts (), and the districts were then divided into bucaks. Thus, bucak was the third-level administrative unit in Turkey. Despite this designation, about half the districts had no bucaks. For example, in Konya Province (the province with the highest number of settlements), among the 31 districts, only 15 districts had bucaks, and the total number of bucaks was 23.Statistical Institute (Konya) However, there was only one bucak in Yalova Province. The total number of bucaks in Turkey was 634.Ministry of Interior project Villages () are parts of the districts or bucaks.
