PLSS Glossary
Understand the terminology used in US legal land descriptions. From townships to principal meridians, we explain every PLSS term.
PLSS Glossary
Definitions for PLSS, township, range, section, quarter section, principal meridian, and all US public land survey terms.
Principal Meridian
A principal meridian is one of 37 north-south reference lines in the US Public Land Survey System, each paired with a baseline to anchor the township and range grid.
Section
A section in the Public Land Survey System is a one-square-mile parcel of land containing 640 acres, numbered 1 through 36 within each township.
Township
A township in the Public Land Survey System is a 6-by-6-mile square of land containing 36 sections, totaling approximately 23,040 acres.
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