National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis

Fractal research seems to have permeated most, if not all, areas of research concerned with form, from the micro-level aggregation of water molecules or particles of zinc oxide to the macro analysis of the structure of landmasses and cities. Given that the study of spatial form and its links to spatial processes is one of basic research areas within Geography, it is not surprising that research on fractals can be found in many subfields of the discipline, including geomorphology, climatology, urban and regional analysis, cartography, and remote sensing.

Within this working paper, we provide a sample of the growing literature in this area. The emphasis is on references that have appeared in the published literature. The bibliography is arranged in three sections: general references; measurement issues; and applications.