According to the government survey system, how large is a section?

A section, according to the government survey system (also known as the Public Land Survey System), is precisely 640 acres. This measurement is foundational in land surveying in the United States, particularly in the context of property development and sales.

The survey system divides land into townships and sections. Each township is typically a square measuring 6 miles on each side and encompasses 36 sections. Since each section represents 1 square mile, the area of a section is calculated by multiplying the dimensions (1 mile x 1 mile), which equals 1 square mile. Since one square mile consists of 640 acres, this is why a section is defined as 640 acres. Understanding this measurement is vital for real estate professionals, as it impacts land transactions, zoning, and development initiatives.