What formation consists of squares created by Parallels and Meridians set 24 miles apart in the PLSS?

The correct answer is "Checks." In the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), "checks" refer to the formation that consists of squares created by parallels (latitude lines) and meridians (longitude lines) that are spaced 24 miles apart. Each check is a large square area that can further be divided into townships. This method of land division helps in organizing and regulating land ownership in a systematic way across vast areas.

While sections are smaller divisions within townships, and townships themselves represent areas that are typically 6 miles by 6 miles (36 square miles), checks serve as the broader grid that aids in land management by delineating larger regions first. Quarters refer to further subdivisions of sections, typically down to 40-acre parcels. Understanding these terms and their respective sizes and functions is essential for navigating land surveying and management within the PLSS.