Which description best defines a township in land surveying?

A township in land surveying is best defined as a rectangular area of land. In the context of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a township is typically a square unit of land that measures six miles on each side, resulting in an area of 36 square miles. Townships are used as a fundamental method for land description and are divided into sections, which further aid in land management and use.

This geometric definition emphasizes the structured approach to land surveying in the United States, entailing consistency in the measurement and division of land. Therefore, the choice highlighting the rectangular nature of a township accurately encompasses its characteristics and relevance in land surveying practices.