Baseline (surveying)
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In the United States Public Land Survey System, a baseline is the principal east-west line that divides townships between north and south. The baseline meets its corresponding meridian at the point of origin, or initial point, for the land survey. For example, the baseline for Nebraska and Kansas is shared as the border for both states, at the 40th parallel.
Often, a baseline is marked by other features such as a road or boundary between counties. In Arizona, the baseline near the Phoenix metro area, is marked by Baseline Rd. In Southern California, from Highland to San Dimas, the baseline is marked by Baseline Rd. In Michigan, the baseline for the Michigan Survey forms the boundary between the second and third tiers of counties and in many portions, discontinuous segments of road along the baseline are known as "Baseline Rd."
[edit] Canada
In Canadian land surveying, a base line is one of the many principal east-west lines that correspond to 4 tiers of townships (2 tiers north and 2 south). Each base line is about 24 miles apart, with the first base line at the 49th parallel, the Western US-Canadian border. It is therefore equivalent to the standard parallel in the US system.
[edit] See also
- Public Land Survey System (United States)
- Dominion Land Survey (Canada)
- Survey township
