Real Estate Council of Alberta Fundamentals Practice Exam

How is a township divided in rural land descriptions?

1. By grids

2. Into parcels

3. Into sections

4. By boundaries

The correct answer is: Into sections

A township is divided into sections, which is a key component in land descriptions used in rural areas. The standard township is typically a six-mile by six-mile square, which is then further divided into thirty-six sections. Each section measures one mile by one mile and represents 640 acres. This division into sections allows for a systematic and organized way to describe and identify land parcels in rural settings, facilitating land sales, purchases, and transfers. The use of sections provides a clear framework that aligns with zoning laws and land use planning. While other terms like "grids" or "parcels" might describe different forms or aspects of land organization, they do not specifically refer to the standardized way townships are divided. "Boundaries," on the other hand, can refer to conceptual lines that define the limits of areas but do not describe the subdivision of land in the manner that sections do. Therefore, identifying a township as being divided into sections is the most accurate description of its layout in rural land descriptions.