What is the six-mile wide east-west area between two parallels called?

The correct identification of the six-mile wide east-west area between two parallels as a tier is rooted in the Land Ordinance of 1785, which established the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) in the United States. In this context, a tier is defined as a horizontal division of land within a grid pattern, consisting of townships that are organized in a series of rows across the landscape. Each tier is numbered north or south of the baseline – one of the key reference lines in land surveying.

This method of land measurement is essential for identifying the location and organization of parcels of land, helping in navigation, development, and land sales. The other terms—range, section, and parcel—have distinct definitions within the framework of land surveying. A range refers to the vertical columns of townships, this corresponds to areas measured east or west of a principal meridian. A section is a subdivision of a township, typically one square mile in size, which further breaks down the land into smaller and more manageable units. A parcel generally refers to a specific plot of land that may vary in size and shape and can be made up of a number of sections or part of a township. Hence, the distinct terminology highlights how different dimensions and components of land