What is a Section?
A section is an area of land measuring one square mile, or 640 acres. It is the basic unit of measure for land parcels in the United States. A section is part of a larger unit of measure known as a township, which is composed of 36 sections and covers an area of 36 square miles.
How Are Sections Divided?
A section is divided into four parts, called quarter sections. A quarter section is 160 acres in size. This can be further divided into four parts, called quarter quarter sections, which are each 40 acres in size.
What Are Sections Used For?
Sections are used to identify land parcels for sale, taxation, and other legal purposes. They are also used to measure the area of land for farming, ranching, and other agricultural activities.
How Are Sections Numbered?
Sections are numbered within a township, beginning with the northwest corner of the township and progressing eastward to the southeast corner. The numbering system is known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). The PLSS divides the United States into survey townships, each containing 36 square miles. Within each township, the sections are numbered one through 36.
Conclusion
In summary, a section is an area of land measuring one square mile, or 640 acres. It is composed of four quarter sections, each measuring 160 acres. Sections are used to identify land parcels for sale, taxation, and other legal purposes, and are numbered according to the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). Knowing how many acres are in a section is important for many purposes, including farming, ranching, and other agricultural activities.