government rectangular survey method - a U.S. government method of surveying land in which land is divided into imaginary rectangular grids divided by north?south lines called meridians, and east?west lines called base lines. The entire country is divided into squares, 24 miles on a side. Each square is called a quadrangle. Quadrangles are further divided into 16 equal squares measuring 6 miles on each side called townships. Within a township are 36 square miles. Each square mile, an area equivalent to 640 acres, is called a section. Sections may be further divided into half sections, quarter sections, etc.
A line of townships extending north and south is called a range. Ranges are numbered east and west of the closest principal meridian. This method is primarily useful for describing relatively large parcels of land. See also base line, government survey method, meridian, quadrangle, range, section, and township.

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