This standardized system supplies a way for surveying and designating land parcels, notably in the US and components of Canada. It depends on a grid-based construction centered on principal meridians and base strains. Land is split into townships, roughly six miles sq., that are additional subdivided into 36 sections, every roughly one sq. mile (640 acres). A particular location is recognized by referencing its township, vary, and part relative to the governing principal meridian.
The institution of this technique facilitated the orderly distribution and sale of public lands, contributing considerably to westward growth and agricultural growth. Its constant framework aided in property identification, authorized descriptions, and useful resource administration. The systematic method minimized land disputes and offered a transparent foundation for land possession information. Understanding this framework is essential for deciphering historic land deeds, analyzing land use patterns, and navigating property boundaries in areas the place it’s employed.
