Township (Government Survey)

Definition: A survey township is a nominal six-mile-by-six-mile land division containing 36 sections.

Example

A standard township contains 36 square miles, equivalent to 23,040 acres.

Keep the distinction clear

This is a survey unit, not necessarily a local government. Fractional townships and irregular section sizes occur in actual surveys.

Related terms

Section (Government Survey) · Range (Government Survey) · Government Survey System

Keep studying

Government Survey: Township, Range, Sections, and Acreage

References: BLM: surveying and mapping glossary

Pronunciation (US): TOWN-ship (capitals show stress)

Pronunciation reference: Merriam-Webster