In the rectangular survey system, a township is divided into how many sections?

In the rectangular survey system, a township is divided into how many sections?

• A. 24
• B. 12
• C. 16
• D. 36

Answer: (D)

In the rectangular survey system, a township is defined as a 6-mile by 6-mile square. That big township is divided into 36 smaller squares, each measuring 1 mile on each side. So there are 36 sections in a township. Since each section is one square mile, the total area of a township is 36 square miles, which equals 23,040 acres (36 × 640 acres per section). This layout—6 miles by 6 miles, subdivided into 36 one-mile-square sections—is why a township contains 36 sections.

In the rectangular survey system, a township is defined as a 6-mile by 6-mile square. That big township is divided into 36 smaller squares, each measuring 1 mile on each side. So there are 36 sections in a township. Since each section is one square mile, the total area of a township is 36 square miles, which equals 23,040 acres (36 × 640 acres per section). This layout—6 miles by 6 miles, subdivided into 36 one-mile-square sections—is why a township contains 36 sections.