Análise espacial da distribuição religiosa no Piauí

Abstract

Religion, understood as a cultural construct essential to human development, shapes social, psychological, and territorial practices. This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of religions in Piauí and to understand how this dynamic reveals identities, inequalities, and patterns of pluralism across the territory. To achieve this, a methodology based on spatial statistics was adopted, using Moran’s I autocorrelation indices (global and local – LISA) applied to data from the 2022 Demographic Census and processed with the QGIS and GeoDa software programs. The results show a strong Catholic predominance in the state, accompanied by the expansion of evangelical churches, especially in the south/southwest region. Urban concentration patterns of Spiritism and Afro-Brazilian religions were also identified, along with the low expression of Indigenous traditions. The analysis revealed territorial complementarity between Catholics and evangelicals, as well as specific areas of high religious concentration and greater diversity in urban centers. It is concluded that the use of geospatial tools is essential for understanding religious complexity and its territorial implications. Identifying patterns and inequalities contributes to the planning of public policies sensitive to religious plurality, reinforcing the importance of studies that integrate culture, territory, and spatial statistics.