Which survey system is also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is commonly referred to as the Rectangular Government Survey. This system was established to simplify the process of surveying and dividing land in the United States, especially in areas that were not originally settled by colonial land grants.

The PLSS utilizes a grid system, designating land in terms of townships and ranges, which allows for standardized descriptions of land parcels. This method is distinct from the Metes and Bounds system, which relies more on physical landmarks and specific measurements, and the Lot and Block system, which is typically employed in urban developments and relies on recorded subdivisions. The Geographic Coordinate System, on the other hand, uses latitude and longitude for mapping locations on the Earth’s surface rather than the structured division used in the PLSS.

By utilizing the Rectangular Government Survey, landowners and surveyors can accurately identify and communicate about parcels of land, ensuring clarity and efficiency in real estate transactions and land management.