Township/Range Plats

Under this system, land is divided into six-mile square townships, which are further divided into 36 one-mile square sections. Each township is identified by its position relative to two principal meridians (north-south lines) and a base line (east-west line). The meridians and base line serve as reference points for identifying the location of townships.

The Township Range hierarchy is as follows:

1. Principal Meridian: A north-south line that serves as the reference point for identifying the location of townships.
2. Base Line: An east-west line that serves as another reference point for identifying the location of townships.
3. Range: The distance between a principal meridian and a range line. Ranges are typically six miles wide and run north-south.
4. Township: A six-mile square area of land that is located within the intersection of a principal meridian and a base line. Each township is further divided into 36 one-mile square sections.
5. Section: A one-mile square area of land within a township. Sections are numbered from 1 to 36, starting in the northeast corner and moving west to east and then south to north.

Sections can be divided into quarter sections of 160 acres , named by intercardinal direction (northwest, northeast, etc.). For instance, the southwest quarter of a section is named SW 1/4

Section 20

Sections can be further broken up into 40-acre (16 ha) blocks, or quarter-quarter sections. These add a second intercardinal direction label.

Section 20 NW 1/4

For instance, the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter section mentioned above is labeled SE 1/4, NW 1/4