Fractal enhancement for thematic display of topologically stored data

Most geographic information systems reference data using coarse grid cells or explicitly encode areas using high resolution coordinates. In certain circumstances it is more efficient to reference data solely in terms of the topological relationships among data entities. This approach, however, does not provide for adequate map display of data. If at least one of the types of entities in a database is geocoded, even if very coarsely, then it may be practical to display other data with respect to these coordinates. An approach has been implemented in which chains of centroids of United States Public Land Survey sections are enhanced through fractalization to provide thematic maps of streams.