The subject of research in this graduation thesis are changes in land use in the area of Međimurje, that is, in the administrative-territorial sense, Međimurje County from the middle of the 20th century until today. Natural and social factors that directly influenced changes in land use and land cover (LULC change) were analyzed and defined. The results of the analysis of changes in land use and landscape were obtained by comparing different available sources of data and information, i.e. using statistical yearbooks and yearbooks, the ARKOD system, Corine Land Cover data sources in a GIS environment. For the purposes of the research, numerous factors and factors influencing the way of land use and land cover in Međimurje were taken into account: demographic and economic features, natural geographic features (especially geomorphological features). Subsequently, the process of urbanization and tertiaryization was studied on the example of the city of Čakovec as a county subregional center and its administrative-gravitational surroundings. The land use change research is divided into two periods: from 1955 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2018. The results of the analysis indicate that agriculture as an economic branch had the greatest impact on land use and that agricultural and/or arable land predominated in the total area of Middle and Lower Međimurje with 60%. Although agricultural lands are dominant and there has been no significant abandonment of them, their inadequate use and fragmented ownership do not contribute to agricultural production and diminish its importance. The large anthropogenic impact on the land of Međimurje is visible in the construction and especially land reclamation operations since the 80s of the last century. There is also a very limited succession of original vegetation in certain areas of Međimurje, which is caused by reduced anthropogenic activity, better legal protection of forests, the isolation of the forest fund in the area of Upper Međimurje, and the conversion of vineyards and orchards. The influence of the Mura and Drava rivers on the formation of soil particles and the structure of the land cover is certainly noticeable as the most important water bodies. In conclusion, this work pointed out possible problems and potential solutions in order to carry out a better valorization of the land, for the sake of future better use, spatial planning and more uniform development of the entire region.