In the rectangular survey system, what is the basis for the creation of townships and sections?

• A. Geographic coordinates.
• B. Government platting.
• C. The U.S. rectangular survey system.
• D. Local custom only.

Answer: (C)

The basis for creating townships and sections is the U.S. rectangular survey system, a government-established grid (often called the Public Land Survey System) that uses principal meridians and baselines to form six-mile square townships, each containing 36 one-square-mile sections. This nationwide framework standardizes land descriptions for deeds and records. Geographic coordinates describe exact points, but don’t establish the township-and-section grid; local custom alone wouldn’t create the official nationwide framework.