Dont Miss: American Government A Brief Introduction. The first set of lines are called the principal meridians and run north and south. Government Survey System (Rectangular Survey System) Public Land Survey System (PLSS) After the Revolutionary War ended, the United States Government needed a way to describe lands in the West to insure locating and selling. 6 b/c each township is divided in 36 sections, each section is 1 sq mile; 36/6 = 6 in each row. A rectangular survey is read based on the state and meridian line and the property's location, directionally, to that line. It is considered as one of the most significant subdividing of the United States' mainland. The numbering continues directly beneath the sixth section, except that it progresses from left to right on the second tier. This system was part of the Land Ordinance enacted in 1785 by President Thomas Jefferson. The system was created by Thomas Jefferson in 1785. Rectangular Government Survey System The rectangular government survey system -also known as the Public Land Survey The squares created by range and township lines are known as townships and are identified by their location from the baseline and principal meridian lines. Many plans have been made on how to subdivide the public domain lands. The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is the surveying method developed and used in the United States to plat, or divide, real property for sale and settling.Also known as the Rectangular Survey System, it was created by the Land Ordinance of 1785.. Remember, a township is 6 miles by 6 miles. Which States Use the Rectangular Survey System. . Where the two range lines and two township lines intersect, they form a township. Note that the more detailed legal descriptions usually begin with the smallest area and work to the largest. The implementation of the system begins with the identification of the reference lines: the east-west line called the Base Line and the north-south line is also known for the name principal meridian. In legal documents, such as a lien, deed, trust deed, mortgage, and sales contract, courts require an exact description of where a piece of land is located. The Rectangular Survey System is a method of surveying designed to divide the real property into specified plots. [/caption]\r\n\r\nA full rectangular survey system property description might read:\r\n

The SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 6, Township 4 South, Range 5, East of the Third Principal Meridian. The boundary of each township is 6 miles long, so a township contains 36 square miles and is described as being 6 miles square. The numbering changes directions in the third tier from right to left. The guide meridians occur every 24 miles east and west of the principal meridian. Quadrangles have an area of 576 square miles, more or less, and are divided into 16 townships.\r\n \t

Townships: The divisions of a quadrangle, townships, are six miles square (six miles on each side) and are delineated by township lines. The rectangular survey system, often referred to as the government survey system, is based on a system of lines that form rectangles and squares throughout the. Longitude and latitude are imaginary lines that divide the earth through the north and south poles (longitude) and run parallel with the equator (latitude). Each one square mile section is 640 acres. One section is 1 mile or 640 square acres, so it still covers a large piece of land and must be divided again.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'realestatelicensewizard_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',690,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-realestatelicensewizard_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Sections are further broken down into half and quarter sections repeatedly until you identify the exact location of a property. D. Rectangular government survey C Jacob is a developer who purchased 78 acres and had it subdivided into halfacre lots. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. That could be further divided into quarters, such as the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 18 of a township would be 40 acres. These principal meridian lines are named or numbered to identify their location. The numbering continues in this manner like a snake, until ending in the far southeast corner with section 36. Those states are: An error occurred trying to load this video. A government check represents an area that measures 576 square miles.\r\n\r\nRemember that although these correction lines and guide meridians are the way the government deals with the issue of the earths curvature, it isnt the way the government survey system describes land. ","description":"The rectangular survey system, often referred to as the government survey system, is based on a system of lines that form rectangles and squares throughout the United States. Doing the math, its 1/2 1/4 640 = 80 acres.

\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_274746\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"556\"] A quarter section can be split into smaller parts. It will serve as the basis for surveys of government in a specified area under its jurisdiction. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Government Survey Systems were originally created by the US Congress in 1785 as a way of identifying land faster and more accurately. He teaches pre-licensing and continuing education courses for salespeople, brokers, and appraisers.

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John A. Yoegel, PhD, is a certified real estate instructor and former board member of the Real Estate Educators Association. The rectangular survey system is comprised of principal meridian lines that cover most states in the US, running north to south and baselines running east to west. The Lot and Block System has a map showing lot dimensions approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The land is then further divided into quadrangles. The first sets of lines respectively are called principal meridians, which run north and south, and baselines, which run east and west. Section 1 within any township is always located at the upper right or northeast corner of the township. This system created a checkerboard of identical squares using longitude lines and latitude lines . Way in which the U.S. government uses to subdivide public land. )

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Figuring out the size of a piece of property, which sometimes is called a parcel, is simple, if you keep in mind that youre always dealing with a section of 640 acres. Township lines, which run east and west, parallel to baselines, are horizontal parallel lines that form township tiers.\r\n\r\nThink about two lines running from left to right across this page about an inch apart. The principal meridians and baselines are based respectively on lines of longitude and latitude.\r\n\r\nYoure likely to see at least a few questions on the on calculating the area of part of a section, and youll also see questions about terminology and some of the measurements that the rectangular survey system uses. Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam: Practice & Study Guide, Michigan Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Michigan Real Estate Salesperson Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Exam: Study Guide & Practice, West Virginia Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, West Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Wyoming Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, California Real Estate Salesperson Exam: Study Guide, Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam: Study Guide, Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam: Study Guide, Arizona Real Estate Broker License Exam: Study Guide, North Carolina Real Estate Broker License: Study Guide, Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam: Test Prep & Study Guide, Tennessee Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Tennessee Real Estate Affiliate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Maryland Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Montana Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Kentucky Real Estate Broker Exam: Study Guide & Practice, Create an account to start this course today. The numbering changes directions in the third tier from right to left. These range lines form ranges. You may be asked to identify sections in the Rectangular Survey System, so remember the order from specific to general. ( the major vertical line) -37 in the U.S. Base Line The horizontal line ( the major one) Ranges Many areas in the other states are also more accurate. Rectangular Survey System - Divides land into rectangles - The system is based on two sets of lines - Principal Meridians and Base Lines Principal Meridians - Vertical lines, crossing base line. Sections can be divided in several ways, but basically for purposes of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), they are divided in quarter sections.

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Quarter sections: The divisions of a section, quarter sections, are formed by dividing a section into fourths that are delineated by their direction from the center of the section (northwestNW, northeastNE, southeastSE, and southwestSW). The system uses Metes, which are straight lines connecting two points, and Bounds, which are identifiable aspects of a property. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Adding that to the description results in a more specific parcel of land: The NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 18, Township 5 South, Range 4 West of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Missouri. [/caption]\r\n

Each half or quarter section can be further subdivided into halves and quarters. Each township is further divided into 36 sections of one square mile each, or 640 acres, by horizontal and vertical section lines. Land is designated as either a base line (East-West) or principal meridian line (North-South). The townships are consecutively numbered by their location within the intersection of multiple range lines and township lines. PLSS The Public Land Survey System is a way of subdividing and describing land in the United States. Records kept by the surveyors during the execution of the work varied over time. [/caption]\r\n\r\nA full rectangular survey system property description might read:\r\n

The SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 6, Township 4 South, Range 5, East of the Third Principal Meridian. A system of fractional sections and government lots are parts of standard practice to account for these discrepancies.\r\n\r\nSo how does the system describe land? The line intersections have established a large grid that controls the subdivision of grids to smaller ones. As with most things, there are pros and cons of using the Rectangular Survey System. Those quadrangles are divided into smaller squares called townships. However, in some areas of the country, a township refers to a legal municipality rather than a geographic area, which can lead to some confusion. The lines are spaced 24 miles apart, creating squares that are around 576 square miles. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. It isn't used by East Coast states except, Florida, and it also isn't used by Texas. Water & Littoral Rights Concept & Purpose | What are Water Rights? It is the lands boundary lines that also have terminal points and angles. Monuments are also placed at quarter-section corners and at other important points, such as the corners of government lots. flashcard sets. The boundary of each township is 6 miles long, so a township contains 36 square miles and is described as being 6 miles square. Some data is missing in this version that is included in the old version. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The township is the basic unit of measurement in the rectangular survey system. It uses imaginary lines to set land descriptions on thedistance: base lines run east-west and meridians run north-south. Surveyed land was sold by the government, providing important revenue for the cash-starved nation. Guide meridians run north to south, parallel with principal meridians. These divisions mean just that. Land Description Government Rectangular Survey For 2019 | Real Estate Exam Prep. These townships are not the same as political subdivisions.\r\n

Each township is further divided into 36 sections of one square mile each, or 640 acres, by horizontal and vertical section lines. The numbering continues directly beneath the sixth section, except that it progresses from left to right on the second tier. Also known as the Rectangular Survey System, it was created by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to survey land ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783, following the end of the American Revolution. The earths curvature led to the creation of additional lines called Guide Meridians that is perpendicular to the baseline. Remember, there are 36 square miles in a township, and each section is 1 square mile. The rectangular survey system was enacted by the Land Ordinance Act of 1785. The section in the bottom left corner, the southwest corner, is section 36. According to historian Matthew Dennis, this rectangular survey system allowed the leaders of the young government to apply their "nationalistic, scientific, and engineering mentality in transforming the continental landscape of North America, reconceptualizing its space, subduing and organizing it, and distributing it to white yeoman farmers in It was originally proposed by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson as a means of keeping track of the ever-expanding land area of the United States. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Different Types of Estates in Real Estate, Legal Description of Property: Definition, Importance & Example, What is a Land Survey? The roads in a lot of communities in the U.S. run along survey Base Lines as well just like in Arkansas, especially in Little Rock, the baseline road follows the baseline used by the Louisiana Purchase surveyors. The area created by the intersection of a township line and a range line is a township. Townships have an area of 36 square miles, more or less, and are each further divided into 36 sections.

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Sections: The divisions of a township, sections, are one mile square and have an area of one square mile, or 640 acres. Since the earth is not flat like a checkerboard, there needed to be some adjustments made along the way to make sure everything worked out. The first is the Metes and Bounds surveythe second is the Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Government Survey System or Public Lands Survey System. Range lines run north and south between the principal meridians and are spaced out every six miles. Sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular government lots. Furthermore, how well individual surveying parties actually met the requirements or recommendations at the time, also varied. When identifying property locations, you will always reference which principal meridian it is located near. The Rectangular Survey System can be thought of as a grid that covers the U.S. The Rectangular Survey System is the basis for the PLSS and is used to survey all public lands in the United States. Shawn Custer has taught college-level English, composition, and literature for over six years. Putting the above description into words is half of a quarter section. Then the numbering drops down to 13 and goes right to left again and so forth:

\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_274749\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"532\"] Townships are divided into 36 sections numbered consecutively. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9566"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/282532"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"

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