A standard section of land, as defined within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) predominantly used in the United States, encompasses 640 acres. This measurement provides a foundational unit for land division and description. For example, a quarter section would contain 160 acres, calculated by dividing the total acreage of a section by four.
This system of land measurement is crucial for property delineation, real estate transactions, and resource management. Its implementation facilitated westward expansion and the systematic distribution of land ownership. The consistency provided by the 640-acre standard simplifies legal descriptions and minimizes ambiguity in land records, contributing to the stability of land ownership and usage rights.
