CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What type of system does metes and bounds use to describe land?

1. A grid system

2. A physical features and distances system

3. A numerical coordinate system

4. A visual representation system

The correct answer is: A physical features and distances system

Metes and bounds is a system used to describe land that relies on physical features and distances. This method utilizes natural landmarks, such as rivers, trees, and rocks, along with measurements of distance and direction to delineate property boundaries. By incorporating these physical features, metes and bounds provides a clear and practical way to define land parcels, particularly in irregular shapes, which cannot be easily defined using more geometric methods like a grid system. The emphasis on tangible landmarks ensures that the descriptions are relevant to the actual landscape, making it easier for surveyors and landowners to understand and visualize the boundaries. This approach is especially useful in rural areas or locations where conventional surveying techniques may be less applicable. Options that refer to grid systems or numerical coordinate systems pertain to different methods of land description that rely on fixed points or mathematical coordinates, which do not accurately reflect the metes and bounds approach. Visual representation systems may aid in illustrating land boundaries but do not describe the system itself, which is fundamentally based on the combination of physical features and distance measurements.