Boundaries identified by natural landmarks, such as rivers, or by man-made markers are described by which system?

• A. Metes and bounds system
• B. Long-lot survey system
• C. Township and range system
• D. Bid-rent theory

Answer: (A)

Boundaries described by natural landmarks and measured directions are defined by metes and bounds. This method starts at a fixed point of beginning and then describes the boundary as a sequence of distances (metes) and directions (bounds), often referencing natural features such as rivers, trees, or rocks. Because it follows recognizable landmarks and measures along the landscape, parcels tend to have irregular shapes that fit the terrain.

In contrast, long-lot surveys lay out parcels as long, narrow strips along a river or coastal boundary, not by a sequence of landmarks and steps. The township and range system uses a regular grid of townships and sections, producing uniform rectangular parcels. Bid-rent theory is an economic idea about how land value changes with distance to a market, not a method of describing land boundaries.