What coordinates are used to define the location of sections in a township?

The correct answer focuses on meridians and parallels as the established system for defining the location of sections within a township. In the context of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), townships are square parcels of land measuring six miles on each side, and they are subdivided into sections that are one mile square.

Meridians are the north-south lines, while parallels are the east-west lines that create a grid system across the land. Each township is identified by its position relative within this grid. This is a crucial system in real estate, as it helps in accurately describing parcels of land for deeds, surveys, and legal documents.

Latitude and longitude, though also geographical coordinates used for determining exact locations on Earth, differ from the more localized and practical application of meridians and parallels in land surveying. Elevation and depth pertain to vertical measurements and are not used to define horizontal land sections. Postal codes, on the other hand, are systems for sorting and delivering mail, and they don’t correspond to the precise mapping and survey needs of townships or sections.