What determines the north and south boundaries in a government survey?

The north and south boundaries in a government survey are determined by meridians. Meridians are imaginary lines that run north to south on the Earth's surface and are used in the rectangular survey system, also known as the government survey method. Each meridian serves as a reference point for surveying land and establishes the north-south orientation of townships and ranges.

Township lines, on the other hand, run east and west and are used to divide the land into townships, which are further divided into sections. Range lines also run north to south, but they are used to number the ranges that are east or west of a principal meridian. Metes and bounds is an older method of surveying that uses natural landmarks and measurements to outline property boundaries rather than relying on a grid system. Understanding these distinctions is essential in comprehending how land is divided in a government survey system.