Definition
Range Lines are lines parallel to a Principal Meridian, which demarcate land in the Government Rectangular Survey System into six-mile wide strips called ranges. They are numbered sequentially and extend both east and west from the principal meridian.
Examples
- Range Line Example in Kansas:
- In Kansas, Range Lines run parallel to the 6th Principal Meridian, segmenting land into sections and townships, helping systematically divide land for development and ownership.
- Usage in Texas:
- Range Lines are part of the Texas land survey system, where they play a crucial role in demarcating property boundaries for land records.
- Agricultural Land:
- Range Lines are used extensively to partition large swathes of agricultural land, enabling more straightforward division and ownership allocation of plots in a grid pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the purpose of Range Lines? A1. The purpose of Range Lines is to make land division and identification easier and systematic, especially in large, undeveloped areas. They offer a uniform method to subdivide land into manageable sections.
Q2. How are Range Lines numbered? A2. Range Lines are numbered based on their position relative to the Principal Meridian. The lines are numbered sequentially, moving outward east or west.
Q3. What’s the difference between a Range Line and a Township Line? A3. Range Lines run north-south and are parallel to the Principal Meridian, marking ranges every six miles. Township Lines run east-west and are parallel to the Base Line.
Q4. How does the Government Rectangular Survey System work? A4. This system involves using Principal Meridians and Base Lines to quadraticly parcel land into townships and sections. Range Lines and Township Lines create the north-south and east-west boundaries in this grid system.
Q5. Can Range Lines change over time? A5. While land survey markers might be repositioned due to improved technology or re-survey efforts, Range Lines as conceptual demarcations remain static within land records.
Related Terms
- Principal Meridian: A north-south line designated in the Government Rectangular Survey System, from which range lines are numbered.
- Baseline: An east-west line from which township lines are set off in the Government Rectangular Survey System.
- Rectangular Survey System: A method used to divide land into rectangular parcels for land ownership and development purposes.
- Township Lines: East-west lines running parallel to a baseline, marking off land into north-south strips known as townships.
- Government Survey: The government-mandated process using the Rectangular Survey System to systematically divide land into smaller parcels.
Online Resources
- Bureau of Land Management – Offers detailed information about the Rectangular Survey System.
- National Map – Useful for viewing detailed cadastral maps and understanding land division.
- American Planning Association – Comprehensive resources on urban planning that includes land surveying concepts.
References
- U.S. Department of the Interior. (2022). “The Rectangular Survey System.” Retrieved from USGLoM.
- Killoran, P. & Roach, S. (2015). “Understanding Land Surveys.” Wiley.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Principles of Geographical Information Systems” by Peter A. Burrough & Rachael A. McDonnell
- “Surveying: Principles and Applications” by Barry Kavanagh
- “The Surveying Handbook” (Second Edition) edited by Russell C. Brinker & Roy Minnick
- “Land Ownership and Taxation” by John A. Miller
- “The Map That Changed the World” by Simon Winchester
