Geographical data base consist in an important reference for the territorial planning, mainly when the available regional information are restricted. This study objectified to quantify and evaluate the land use and occupation of 35 municipalities of the South of the Rio Grande do Sul state. Remote Sensing and Geoprocessing techniques were utilized to classify digital image of the Landsat satellite. Geographical data base were elaborated with concerning information the classes of use and land occupation (natural and cultivated pastures, natural forest, reforestation, swampy and drenched, dunes and sand, water, agriculture, uncover soil and urban areas). The data were analyzed by municipality and integrated in form of public instruments of territorial magement the for the Regional Committee of development of the South Region, for the Municipalities Association of the South Zone of the RS State and for the Lagoa Mirim Water Basin. Pastures and agriculture were the classes most expressive and corresponded 83% of the average securities of the municipalities, being the other classes less expressive (<5%). Spatial analysis data and the information generated make possible the understanding of the occupational dynamics and subsidize the ordenation of the geographical space and the sustainable development of the region.
geoprocessing; land occupation; territorial planning
