In the rectangular survey system, what lines form the reference framework?

• A. Meridian and baseline.
• B. Equator and prime meridian.
• C. Northing and easting lines.
• D. Latitude and longitude lines.

Answer: (A)

In the rectangular survey system, the reference framework is formed by a principal meridian and its baseline. The principal meridian runs north–south and the baseline runs east–west, and where they intersect provides the origin for a survey area. This pair creates the grid used to describe land in townships and ranges, so every parcel is located relative to that meridian–baseline framework. The other options describe global geographic coordinates or grid coordinates, not the PLSS framework itself: the equator and prime meridian are global references, northing/easting are coordinate values within a grid, and latitude/longitude are global coordinates.