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The ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] '' established the Public Land Survey System. Land was systematically surveyed into square "Congressional" townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 25 November 2014).</ref> | The ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] '' established the Public Land Survey System. Land was systematically surveyed into square "Congressional" townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Ordinance_of_1785 Land Ordinance of 1785] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 25 November 2014).</ref> | ||
==== Principal Meridians ==== | ==== Principal Meridians and Base Lines ==== | ||
The system is based on '''''principal meridians ''''' and '''''base lines ''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. | The system is based on '''''principal meridians ''''' and '''''base lines ''''' determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in the area. | ||
A geographical term which refers to a reference line used in surveying and dividing land in certain parts of the U.S. The meridian numbers progress from low to high as they were surveyed from east to west. The meridian lines on either side of the principal meridian are twenty-four miles apart. [The New A to Zax, US/Can 973 D26e] | A geographical term which refers to a reference line used in surveying and dividing land in certain parts of the U.S. The meridian numbers progress from low to high as they were surveyed from east to west. The meridian lines on either side of the principal meridian are twenty-four miles apart. [The New A to Zax, US/Can 973 D26e] | ||