Which of the following describes a township?

A township is fundamentally defined as a basic unit of land that is specifically bounded by parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude, which delineate its geographical boundaries. This formal definition is rooted in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) used in the United States, where each township typically encompasses an area of 36 square miles, laid out in a grid pattern.

This definition is critical for various applications, including land management, zoning, and property assessment, as it provides a standardized way to reference specific areas of land. The township forms the basis for further subdivisions, such as sections and blocks, which are essential for real estate and appraisal purposes. Therefore, understanding how townships function within this geographic and regulatory framework is key for anyone involved in property assessment or land use planning.