What is the geographical area between two consecutive common meridians called in the rectangular survey system?

In the rectangular survey system, the geographical area between two consecutive common meridians is referred to as a range. This system, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), divides land into a grid format. Each range is measured in units of six miles wide, extending east and west from a principal meridian.

Understanding this concept is crucial for real estate professionals, as it helps in identifying land parcels and their boundaries. Each range is integral to creating a framework for land description and organization in the rectangular survey system, allowing for a systematic approach to land surveying and mapping.

The other terms, while related to this system, refer to different components. A section is a smaller unit within a township, typically one square mile. A tier refers to the strips of townships located north or south of a baseline. A township comprises a larger area, typically six miles by six miles, containing 36 sections. Each of these components plays a role in land measurement, but only a range directly corresponds to the area between two meridians.