Which system divides land into 24-square mile quadrangles?

• A. Rectangular survey.
• B. Government survey.
• C. Metes and bounds survey.
• D. Joint venture survey.

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is the rectangular survey system, which uses a fixed grid laid out by principal meridians and baselines to describe land. In this system, land is divided into uniform blocks called quadrangles, providing a consistent way to reference location across the landscape. A key feature is that these quadrangles are standardized in size, such as 24-square-mile areas, which makes describing parcels straightforward and reproducible. Within that grid, parcels are then broken down further into smaller units like townships and sections for more precise descriptions. This contrasts with metes and bounds, which describes irregular parcels by distances and natural features, rather than a fixed grid.