The Concept of Shape in Geography

S HAPE has always been of concern in geography. Indeed, many geographical features such as deltas, oxbow lakes, and island chains are named from their distinctive shapes or forms, and shape has been found to be extremely useful for describing towns, trade areas, and political units. Although shape has been primarily used in geography as a descriptive device, it has also been of value as an analytical tool. But it is in the related disciplines, such as the biological sciences and mineralogy, that shape has been productive of theories.' However, lack of adequate methods for measuring shape has restricted its widespread use. Two methods of measurement have now been developed and are presented here, together with a review of some of the more pertinent articles concerned with shape or form and an example of the application of shape in urban geography. It is hoped that the study will lead to further applications of shape in solving gogeraphical problems.