What does the rectangular or government survey method primarily define?

The rectangular or government survey method, officially known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), primarily defines land through the use of principal meridians and base lines. In this system, principal meridians serve as north-south reference lines that are used to delineate land, while base lines are east-west reference lines. Together, they create a grid system for surveying land, which allows for the division of land into townships and sections.

This method is utilized primarily in the western United States, where it helps facilitate the systematic description and mapping of land parcels. By establishing these reference points, surveyors can create a precise framework that makes it easier to locate land and convey its boundaries accurately.

In contrast, the other answer options refer to various elements of land surveying but are not the primary components of the rectangular survey method. The point of beginning is a specific location used in more traditional methods; monuments and landmarks serve different purposes in defining property boundaries; and the term “primary meridians” is not a standard term used in this context. Thus, the focus on principal meridians and base lines distinctly characterizes what the rectangular survey method achieves in land surveying.