Small world network is one of the most important properties of complex networks. The theory of small world
network is introduced into wireless sensor networks(WSNs), which is very important to analyze topology, find hidden rule,
and improve network performance of WSNs. It can be widely used in intelligent transportation and military etc. The paper
reviews the network properties, network topology, applications perspective and the main existing works of WSNs based on
the model of small world network, and tries to draw a comprehensive and clear outline for the studies of small world network
in WSNs, which is hopefully beneficial to the researchers of complex network, WSNs and others relative domains.