Land Descriptions

Question 1

Legal Description

Answer 1

The method used to describe and identify a parcel of land in relation to a government survey reference.

Question 2

Township

Answer 2

A square area of land, typically measuring 6 miles by 6 miles, used in the rectangular survey system.

Question 3

Range

Answer 3

A series of townships, each one mile wide, that run north and south parallel to the principal meridian.

Question 4

Section

Answer 4

A one-square-mile area within a township, containing 640 acres.

Question 5

Quarter Section

Answer 5

A 160-acre portion of a section.

Question 6

Metes and Bounds

Answer 6

A method of describing land by listing the bearings and distances of the property lines.

Question 7

Lot and Block

Answer 7

A method of describing land by referring to the lot number and block number within a recorded plat or subdivision, typically used in urban areas and subdivisions.

Question 8

Aliquot Part

Answer 8

A fractional portion of a section, such as a half or a quarter.

Question 9

Government Lot

Answer 9

An irregular or fractional portion of a section that cannot be described as an aliquot part.

Question 10

Mineral Survey

Answer 10

A survey conducted to establish the boundaries of a mining claim or mineral lease.

Question 11

Baseline

Answer 11

An east-west line used as a reference for establishing townships in the rectangular survey system.

Question 12

Principal Meridian

Answer 12

A north-south line used as a reference for establishing ranges in the rectangular survey system.

Question 13

Tier

Answer 13

A row of townships parallel to the baseline or correction line.

Question 14

Fractional Section

Answer 14

A section that is not a full square mile, typically along the boundaries of a township or reservation.

Question 15

Subdivision

Answer 15

The division of a larger parcel of land into smaller lots or units.

Question 16

Plat

Answer 16

A map or plan that shows the layout and boundaries of subdivided land.

Question 17

Acreage

Answer 17

The total area of a parcel of land, typically measured in acres.

Question 18

Monuments

Answer 18

Physical markers, such as iron rods or stone monuments, used to mark property boundaries.

Question 19

Bearings

Answer 19

The horizontal angle or direction of a boundary line, typically measured in degrees from a reference meridian.

Question 20

Geodetic Survey

Answer 20

A survey that takes into account the curvature of the Earth’s surface and other geodetic factors.

Question 21

Fractional Mineral Survey

Answer 21

A survey conducted to establish the boundaries of a mineral interest that is less than a full section or quarter section.

Question 22

Meandered Body of Water

Answer 22

A body of water (e.g., lake, river) whose boundaries are surveyed and used as a reference in legal land descriptions.

Question 23

Riparian Rights

Answer 23

The rights of a landowner to reasonable use of water adjacent to their property.

Question 24

Accretion and Avulsion

Answer 24

Accretion refers to the gradual buildup of land due to natural forces, while avulsion is the sudden removal or addition of land due to a rapid event.

Question 25

Unitization

Answer 25

The combination of multiple leases or mineral interests into a single unit for the purpose of exploration and production.

Question 26

Pooled Unit

Answer 26

A unit formed by pooling multiple leases or mineral interests to allow for the drilling of a well.

Question 27

Drilling and Spacing Unit

Answer 27

A designated area established by state regulatory authorities for the purpose of locating and spacing oil and gas wells.

Question 28

Proration Units

Answer 28

Units used by state regulatory agencies to allocate and distribute production from a common source or reservoir.

Question 29

Spanish Land Grant

Answer 29

Historical land grants made by the Spanish government in parts of Texas prior to its annexation by the United States.

Question 30

Vacancy Lands

Answer 30

Unclaimed or unappropriated public lands in Texas that were not included in the original Spanish or Mexican land grants.

Question 31

A.B.C. Survey

Answer 31

A type of survey used in parts of Texas that divides sections into smaller tracts labeled A, B, and C.