Rectangular Survey System Quiz
Township-and-range grid impacts on borders (10 questions).
Rectangular Survey System Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), is a cornerstone of American land division. Established in the late 18th century, it systematically organized vast tracts of public land, fundamentally shaping the geographic, economic, and political landscape of much of the United States, particularly west of the Appalachian Mountains. This quiz explores its key components and lasting impacts.
Key Concepts
Established by the Land Ordinance of 1785. Its primary goal was to create a uniform system for surveying, describing, and selling federally owned land, preventing chaotic settlement patterns.
The basic unit is a township, a 6×6 mile square, divided into 36 sections of 1 square mile (640 acres) each. These are referenced from a Principal Meridian and a Base Line.
The PLSS imposed a grid on the landscape, influencing the alignment of roads, property boundaries, and even political subdivisions, especially evident in the Midwest.
Due to the Earth’s curvature, meridians converge towards the poles. Correction lines were introduced every 24 miles north of the base line to maintain the 6-mile width of townships, preventing inaccuracies.
Key Takeaways
- The Rectangular Survey System (PLSS) was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to standardize land division.
- It organizes land into townships (6×6 miles) and sections (1×1 mile, 640 acres).
- Townships are referenced from a Principal Meridian (north-south) and a Base Line (east-west).
- The system created a highly visible rectilinear pattern in the landscape, influencing roads and property lines.
- Correction lines are crucial for adjusting the grid for the Earth’s curvature, preventing townships from narrowing at higher latitudes.
- The PLSS streamlined land sales, promoted orderly settlement, and provided clear legal descriptions for property.
- Its influence is most prominent in states admitted to the Union after 1785, particularly in the Midwest and West.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the PLSS and metes and bounds surveying?
The PLSS creates a uniform, rectilinear grid based on fixed meridians and base lines, offering clear, standardized descriptions. Metes and bounds, conversely, describe property using natural landmarks, compass directions, and distances, often leading to irregular parcels and potential boundary disputes.
How does the Earth’s curvature affect the Rectangular Survey System?
Because meridians converge as they approach the poles, without adjustment, townships surveyed northward would gradually become narrower than the standard 6 miles. This is compensated for by “correction lines” or “standard parallels” established at regular intervals (typically every 24 miles) where new survey lines are started.
Which parts of the United States primarily use the Rectangular Survey System?
The PLSS is predominantly used in states that became part of the United States after the Land Ordinance of 1785. This includes most of the Midwest, Great Plains, and Western states. The original 13 colonies and some other early states (e.g., Texas, Hawaii) primarily use metes and bounds or other survey methods.
What is a “section” in the context of the PLSS?
A section is a fundamental unit of land within the PLSS, measuring one square mile (640 acres). Each standard township contains 36 sections, numbered generally starting from the northeast corner (Section 1) and proceeding west then east in a serpentine pattern, ending with Section 36 in the southeast.
How did the PLSS impact settlement patterns and infrastructure development?
The PLSS encouraged a dispersed, rather than clustered, pattern of settlement by making individual farmsteads easily identifiable and legally described. It led to a grid-like road network, particularly visible in agricultural regions, as roads often followed section lines. This rectilinear organization also simplified the establishment of public services and political boundaries.
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