The field of bibliometrics and its applications are extensive. This paper deals with firstly the origin and development as well as definition of bibliometrics, secondly the research areas and basic laws in the field, thirdly the various techniques used in bibliometric analyses according to the fundamental bibliometric data : publications. references and citations, and producers of scientific publications, and finally the applications of bibliometric techniques, including those in librarianship and information management, and those in the study of science and scientists.