Township and Range System: Understanding the Grid System of Land Division

How are townships divided in the Township and Range system?

What are the designations for the townships?

What is the purpose of the Township and Range system?

The townships in the Township and Range system are divided into thirty-six square-mile parcels. They are positioned relative to the nearest principal meridian (E and W) and base line (N and S).

The Township and Range system is a method used in the United States to divide and identify land parcels. It was established as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1785 and 1787 in order to facilitate government land sales and organized settlement.

Each township in the system is intended to be a square measuring 6 miles on each side, resulting in an area of 36 square miles. These townships can further be subdivided into smaller sections, typically 1 mile square or 640 acres each.

The designation of townships in the Township and Range system is based on their positioning relative to the nearest principal meridian (E and W) and base line (N and S). This grid pattern is a characteristic feature of the western American landscape today.

The primary purpose of the Township and Range system is to provide a systematic way of dividing and describing land, making it easier for individuals, organizations, and government agencies to identify and transact properties efficiently.