Which of the following describes a principal meridian's direction?

Which of the following describes a principal meridian's direction?

• A. North and south
• B. East and west
• C. Diagonally
• D. Horizontally

Answer: (A)

A principal meridian runs in a north and south direction. In the context of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) used primarily in the United States, principal meridians are the reference lines from which land surveys are based. They serve as the vertical baseline for describing land areas in relation to township and range systems. This orientation is crucial for accurate mapping and delineation of property boundaries. Understanding that principal meridians align north and south helps in applying land measurement techniques correctly and is fundamental for real estate professionals dealing with land parcels subject to these surveys.

A principal meridian runs in a north and south direction. In the context of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) used primarily in the United States, principal meridians are the reference lines from which land surveys are based. They serve as the vertical baseline for describing land areas in relation to township and range systems. This orientation is crucial for accurate mapping and delineation of property boundaries. Understanding that principal meridians align north and south helps in applying land measurement techniques correctly and is fundamental for real estate professionals dealing with land parcels subject to these surveys.