<P> The surveying of any regional area , such as a state or two , is a multi-step process . First , two controlling survey lines are established : a baseline , which runs east - west and a principal meridian , which runs north - south ( Fig. 1 ) . The locations of the two are determined by a previously chosen initial point , where they originate and thus intersect . Next , at a defined distance interval , commonly 24 or 30 miles ( 48 km ) depending on the year and location , standard parallels of latitude are established parallel to the baseline . The meridian , baseline and standard parallels thus established form a lattice upon which all further surveying is then based . Subsequent work divides the land into survey townships of roughly 36 square miles ( ~ 93 km ) or 6 miles ( ~ 9.7 km ) on each side . This is done by the establishment of township and range lines . Township lines run parallel to the baseline ( east - west ) , while range lines are true meridians and thus run north - south ; each are established at six mile ( 10 km ) intervals . Lastly , townships are subdivided into 36 sections of approximately one square mile ( 640 acres , ~ 2.6 km ) and sections into four quarter - sections of 0.25 square mile ( 160 acres , ~ 0.65 km ) each . ( See descriptions and figures illustrating the system ) . The intersection of a township line ( or baseline ) with a range line ( or principal meridian ) constitutes a township corner , of a section line with any other type of line a section corner , and a point halfway between any two section corners a quarter corner . The federal government typically surveyed only to this quarter - section level , the subdivision of smaller parcels being carried out subsequently by private surveyors after original sale . </P>
<P> The surveying of any regional area , such as a state or two , is a multi-step process . First , two controlling survey lines are established : a baseline , which runs east - west and a principal meridian , which runs north - south ( Fig. 1 ) . The locations of the two are determined by a previously chosen initial point , where they originate and thus intersect . Next , at a defined distance interval , commonly 24 or 30 miles ( 48 km ) depending on the year and location , standard parallels of latitude are established parallel to the baseline . The meridian , baseline and standard parallels thus established form a lattice upon which all further surveying is then based . Subsequent work divides the land into survey townships of roughly 36 square miles ( ~ 93 km ) or 6 miles ( ~ 9.7 km ) on each side . This is done by the establishment of township and range lines . Township lines run parallel to the baseline ( east - west ) , while range lines are true meridians and thus run north - south ; each are established at six mile ( 10 km ) intervals . Lastly , townships are subdivided into 36 sections of approximately one square mile ( 640 acres , ~ 2.6 km ) and sections into four quarter - sections of 0.25 square mile ( 160 acres , ~ 0.65 km ) each . ( See descriptions and figures illustrating the system ) . The intersection of a township line ( or baseline ) with a range line ( or principal meridian ) constitutes a township corner , of a section line with any other type of line a section corner , and a point halfway between any two section corners a quarter corner . The federal government typically surveyed only to this quarter - section level , the subdivision of smaller parcels being carried out subsequently by private surveyors after original sale . </P>
east-west lines in the government rectangular survey system are known as
east-west lines in the government rectangular survey system are known as
baseline
baseline