Same as term government rectangular survey: Way in which the U.S. government uses to subdivide public land. A government check represents an area that measures 576 square miles. This is not merely the address of the property but is a legal description. Each piece of land is measured only from one meridian, and it may not be the one closest in proximity to the piece of land. )\r\nThe description probably would include the state and county in which the property is located and use abbreviations. Imagine trying to draw straight lines on a rubber ball. It is considered as one of the most significant subdividing of the United States mainland. Because the rectangular or government survey system was instituted when the United States was a new country, it was used to describe most of the land west of the original 13 colonies, so most of you are likely to see some questions about this system.\r\n\r\nLongitude and latitude are imaginary lines that divide the earth through the north and south poles (longitude) and run parallel with the equator (latitude). As the United States grew from its original 13 colonies, a system was needed to identify who owned what land. The following is a list of helpful terms:\r\n