Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What is another term for the rectangular survey system?

1. Lot and block system

2. Subdivision system

3. Government survey system

4. Grid system

The correct answer is: Government survey system

The rectangular survey system is also known as the government survey system. This method was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785, primarily to facilitate the systematic surveying of land in the United States. It divides land into rectangular parcels using a series of intersecting lines that create a grid-like pattern, with principal meridians running north-south and base lines running east-west. The government survey system allows for a clear and organized approach to identifying and describing land, making it easier for officials, surveyors, and property buyers to locate and reference specific parcels. This terminology reflects the involvement of the federal government in the standardization of land measurement and division during the westward expansion of the United States. In contrast, the other options refer to different methods of land surveying. The lot and block system is typically used in urban areas to subdivide land into blocks and lots, while the subdivision system refers to the division of larger parcels into smaller units for development purposes. The grid system, often employed in city planning, does not specifically denote the rectangular survey system but rather refers to the layout of streets and blocks within an urban area.