In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), what are lines of latitude referred to as?

In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), lines of latitude are referred to as parallels. Parallels are lines that run east-west around the globe and are used to designate locations based on their distance north or south of the Equator. This terminology is critical in land surveying and mapping, as it helps in establishing a grid system that can reference property boundaries and land divisions accurately.

Meridians, on the other hand, are lines of longitude that run north-south and help determine locations based on their distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Checks are subdivisions of townships in the PLSS, typically measuring six miles by six miles, while sections are smaller divisions within townships, usually one mile by one mile. Understanding these distinctions is essential for comprehending how land is organized and surveyed in the PLSS.