What do township lines in the USPLS run parallel to?

Township lines in the United States Public Land Survey System (USPLS) are defined as horizontal lines that run east and west across the land. Each township line creates a division that helps to organize and identify specific sections of land within a township. This orientation is vital for setting up the grid system that is used in land surveys, allowing for better organization, mapping, and reference for land ownership and transactions.

The east-west orientation of township lines provides a consistent framework for land division, making it easier for surveyors and landowners to navigate the land and understand property boundaries. This system works in conjunction with range lines, which run north and south. The combination of township and range lines forms a grid pattern that covers much of the United States, aiding in the systematic documentation of land ownership and boundaries.