Detailed Definition
A hectare (symbol: ha) is a unit of area measurement defined by the metric system. One hectare is equivalent to 10,000 square meters or about 107,637 square feet. It is also roughly equal to 2.471 acres. Widely utilized in many countries around the world, the hectare is part of the International System of Units (SI) and is primarily used in measuring large parcels of land, such as those used in agriculture, forestry, and urban planning.
Examples
- Agricultural Use: A farmer purchases 10 hectares of farmland to cultivate crops such as wheat and corn.
- Real Estate Development: A real estate developer plans to build a new residential community on a plot of land measuring 15 hectares.
- Forestry Management: A forest management company acquires 500 hectares of forestland for conservation and timber production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is a hectare? A hectare is a metric unit of area measurement equivalent to 10,000 square meters or about 2.471 acres.
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How does a hectare compare to an acre? One hectare is approximately equal to 2.471 acres.
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In what fields is the hectare commonly used? The hectare is commonly used in agriculture, forestry, urban planning, and land development.
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Are hectares used worldwide? Hectares are widely used in many countries, particularly those that follow the metric system.
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Can hectares be converted to other units? Yes, hectares can be converted to other units such as acres, square meters, and square feet.
Related Terms
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Acre: A unit of area measurement commonly used in the United States, equivalent to 43,560 square feet or approximately 0.4047 hectares.
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Square Meter (m²): A metric unit of area measurement equal to a square with sides of one meter each.
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Square Foot (ft²): A unit of area measurement commonly used in the United States, equivalent to a square with sides of one foot each.
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Urban Planning: The process by which communities plan for future growth and development, often involving the use of hectares to measure land areas.
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Land Development: The process of developing land for commercial, residential, or agricultural use, often involving the measurement of land in hectares.
Online Resources
- Wikipedia: Hectare
- Metric Conversions: Hectare to Acre
- National Agricultural Library: Land Measurement
References
- “Metric System Units and Conversion Methods.” National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- “Land Measurement Units and Conversion Table.” Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Suggested Books for Further Studies
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“Land Measurements: The Metric System Guide for Real Estate” by David S. Brown
- An in-depth guide on various metric land measurements, including hectares, and their applications in real estate.
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“Urban Planning and Land Development: A Comprehensive Approach” by Thomas L. Daniels and Katherine Daniels
- This book covers principles of urban planning and the use of land measurement units like hectares in the planning and development process.