Chapter 4

Question 1

Base Lines

Answer 1

The main imaginary line running east and west and crossing a principal meridian at a definite point; used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the rectangular (government) survey system of legal description

Question 2

Call

Answer 2

In surveying, a reference to a course, distance, or monument when a describing a boundary

Question 3

Government Survey System (rectangular or geodetic)

Answer 3

A system established in 1785 by the federal government, providing for surveying and describing land by reference to principal meridians and base lines; used mainly west of the Mississippi River

Question 4

Legal Description

Answer 4

A description of a specific parcel of real estate complete enough for an independent surveyor to locate and identify it

Question 5

Metes-and-bounds (boundary) Description

Answer 5

A legal description of a parcel of land that begins at a well-marked point and follows the boundaries, using directions and distances around the tract, back to the place of beginning

Question 6

Monuments

Answer 6

A fixed natural or artificial object used to establish real estate boundaries for a metes-and-bounds description

Question 7

Plat Map

Answer 7

A map of a subdivision indicating the location and boundaries of individual properties. Generally shows lots, blocks, easements, streets, floodplains, etc. Usually requires official approval before recordation

Question 8

Point of Beginning (POB)

Answer 8

In a metes-and-bounds legal description, the starting point of the survey, situated at one corner of the parcel. All metes-and-bounds descriptions must follow the boundaries of the parcel back to the point of beginning

Question 9

Principal Meridians

Answer 9

The main imaginary line running north and south and crossing a base line at a definite point; used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the rectangular (government) survey system of legal description

Question 10

Ranges

Answer 10

A strip of land six miles wide, extending north and south and numbered east and west according to its distance from the principal meridian in the rectangular (government) survey system of legal description

Question 11

Reference to a Recorded Plat (lot-and-block or recorded plat system)

Answer 11

A method of describing real property that identifies a parcel of land by reference to lot and block numbers within a subdivision, as specified on a recorded subdivision plat

Question 12

Section

Answer 12

A portion of township under the rectangular (government) survey system. A township is divided into 36 sections, numbered 1 through 36. A section is a square with mile-long sides and an area of one square mile, or 640 acres

Question 13

Survey

Answer 13

The process by which boundaries are measured and land areas are determined; the on-site measurement of lot lines, dimensions, and position of a house on a lot, including the determination of any existing encroachments or easements

Question 14

Tier

Answer 14

A strip of land six miles wide, extending east and west and numbered north and south according to its distance from the base line in the government rectangular survey system of legal description

Question 15

Topographic Survey

Answer 15

A survey that measures the features of the earth’s surfaces such as hills and valleys plus the location of roads

Question 16

Township

Answer 16

The principal unit of the rectangular (government) survey system. A township is a square with six-mile sides and an area of 36 square miles