CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What is a "Plat"?

1. A geographical index

2. A map or plan of a piece of land

3. An elevation profile of a specific area

4. A type of digital terrain model

The correct answer is: A map or plan of a piece of land

A "Plat" is defined as a map or plan that represents a specific piece of land, detailing its boundaries, dimensions, and any subdivisions or features such as roads, easements, and property lines. Plats are essential documents in land surveying and land development, providing a visual representation that helps in understanding land ownership and the layout of a given area. They play a crucial role in real estate transactions and urban planning by clarifying how land can be used and developed. The other options do not accurately describe what a plat is. A geographical index, for instance, usually refers to a list or database of geographical features, which does not convey the spatial relationship of land in a schema like a plat. An elevation profile provides vertical representation of terrain but lacks the detailed layout perspective found in a plat. Similarly, a digital terrain model is a representation of terrain in a digital format but does not focus on the specific boundaries and divisions of land ownership, which is central to the concept of a plat.