2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/118523The Ks magnitude distribution of asymptotic giant branch stars provides important constraints on the spatial variation of metallicity and mean-age of the stellar population of galaxies. Here, I present results of the investigation of these parameters across the Magellanic Clouds, M33, NGC 6822 and SagDIG and I discuss the tremendous improvement that new wide-field near-infrared instruments (i.e. VISTA) will provide on our understanding of the global intrinsic as well as dynamical history of these systems.5 pages, 3 figures, contributed talk to the workshop "Why galaxies care about AGB stars", Vienna, August 7-11, 2006Astrophysicstext