These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. Land was systematically surveyed into square 'Congressional' townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established the Public Land Survey System. the newer rectangular surveys (also known as Congressional township rectangular surveys) primarily used in federal land states.the older metes and bounds primarily used in state land states.In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property: It will be easier to find and understand the land records of ancestors if you learn something about the Public Lands Survey System and its records. Sections are organized into a 6 x 6 square to form each township.

A township consists of 36 sections of one square mile each. In almost all these cases the land was surveyed and described as part of the Public Lands Survey System, which divided the land into Congressional townships on a township and range grid based on rectangular surveys.

The National Archives in Washington, DC has over 10 million land entry case files of individuals trying to obtain a private claim to some of the public land in 30 federal land states from 1820-1908.

Township and range survey method