Understanding the Concept of Township and Range Definition

The concept of township and range definition is a crucial aspect of understanding land ownership and administration in many parts of the world. In particular, this system is widely used in North America, where it plays a vital role in dividing up large areas of land into manageable parcels for purposes of legal land title.

To begin with, townships are further divided into 36 sections, each measuring one mile by one mile (one square mile). This means that there are 36 individual sections within each township. In addition to this, the term 'township' also refers to the six-mile-by-six-mile square formed when the range and township lines intersect.

In the province of Alberta, Canada, the township system is particularly well-defined. The southern border with Montana lies at township 1, while the northern border with the Northwest Territories is located at township 126. Townships are also six miles wide and are numbered from south to north. They are numbered consecutively from east to west, beginning west of the meridian.

Between each meridian, there is a series of columns, each six miles wide, known as ranges. These ranges run perpendicular to the townships, dividing up the land into smaller, more manageable sections. The Alberta Township System (ATS) designates land as being west of the 4th Meridian (110 degrees west longitude), 5th Meridian (114 degrees west longitude), or 6th Meridian (118 degrees west longitude).

The ATS is a grid network that divides the province into equal-sized square parcels of land, making it easier to administer legal land title. This system is a variant of the Dominion Land Survey (DLS) system, which was implemented in Canada.

In conclusion, understanding the concept of township and range definition is essential for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of land ownership and administration. By grasping this fundamental principle, individuals can better comprehend how large areas of land are divided up into smaller, more manageable sections, making it easier to purchase, sell, or lease property.

Township and range definition