What does the rectangular survey system use to identify large sections of land?

The rectangular survey system, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), utilizes a grid-based method that employs ranges and meridians to delineate and identify large tracts of land. In this system, the land is divided into townships, which are then further subdivided into sections. Each township is defined by its location in relation to a principal meridian (which runs north-south) and a baseline (which runs east-west). The combination of these two reference lines allows for a systematic way to locate and describe parcels of land across a vast area, facilitating land ownership and management.

Other methods, like latitude and longitude, primarily serve different purposes, such as navigation and mapping, rather than identifying land ownership parcels specifically. Local surveys or assessments, while useful in real estate contexts, do not provide the standardized and systematic delineation of larger land areas necessary for the rectangular survey system.