A section is a unit of land measurement used in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which is commonly used in the United States to divide and describe land. Here’s a detailed explanation of how it works:
1. What is a Section?
- A section is a square plot of land that measures 1 mile on each side, resulting in a total area of 640 acres.
- The mile measurement comes from the fact that the land is surveyed on a grid system where each side of the section is 1 mile long, making each section 1 square mile.
2. How the Section is Divided:
- Each section is typically further divided into quarter-sections (160 acres each), eighth-sections (80 acres), and smaller plots, depending on the need.
- This system allows for precise land description and is often used in rural and agricultural areas, especially in the western U.S.
3. Relation to Township and Range:
- A section is part of a larger grid known as a township, which consists of 36 sections (6 miles by 6 miles). This means one township covers 36 square miles (or 23,040 acres).
- Townships are identified by their position in relation to a baseline and meridian, helping to pinpoint specific locations.
4. Use of Sections:
- The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) uses sections as a standard way of measuring land, especially in areas where land was divided and sold by the government, such as the western United States during the 19th century.
- Sections are useful in land transactions, agricultural planning, and government land allocation.
5. Historical Context:
- The use of sections originated with the Land Ordinance of 1785, which established the grid system for dividing the land in the western U.S. It aimed to make land distribution more organized and efficient.
Summary:
- 1 section = 640 acres.
- A section is a 1-mile by 1-mile square.
- Sections are used in the Public Land Survey System to organize and describe land, especially in rural and western parts of the U.S.