Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
takes on characteristics of both locational and coordinate systems, although
surveyed locations never replace the legally binding locational system. In
other words, for mortgage lenders, title insurances, and banks, the locational
system description is what is important—the associated coordinates have lit-
tle significance.
METES-AND-BOUNDS SYSTEMS
Metes-and-bounds systems, used historically most often for local maps that
record the location of parcels, were often connected to local meridians and
parallels. They can be associated with a projection and made into rectangu-
lar coordinate systems with great ease. Most metes-and-bounds systems are
nowadays connected to a rectangular coordinate system. In the United
States, metes-and-bounds is the legally recognized system for recording par-
cels in the areas of the original 13 colonies and Texas, plus the areas of a few
other states. In most areas of the world, metes-and-bounds systems are the
more common system for recording not only the extents of land parcels, but
also of legally registering land ownership, rights, and responsibilities. The
metes-and-bounds system can either start with recognized origin points and
then survey the boundaries of parcel boundaries based on distance and
angle relationships, or just survey boundaries based on existing surveys. The
former is the preferred approach, as it avoids many inaccuracies that lead to
significant land conf licts.
Metes refer to the distances and angles. Bounds refer to the corners and
points that define the outline of the surveyed area. A metes-and-bounds
description is a narrative that describes the clockwise or counterclockwise
path around the perimeter. A simple example of a metes-and-bounds
description can read like this:
Beginning from the southwest corner of section, thence north 1,320 feet;
thence east 1,735 feet to the true point of beginning thence east 500 feet,
more or less to State Road 35 right-of-way, thence northwesterly along said
right-of-way.
A more detailed metes-and-bounds description can also describe the
vicinity of the surveyed area, exempted areas, and additional rights to areas
described in the survey. The following is an example of a more detailed
description, of the diagram in Figure 5.9. Once facing due South or North,
the numbers in the parentheses are the offset angle (in degrees, minutes,
and seconds West or East) using bearings of the surveying equipment.
W) for
211.19 ft along the North right-of-way of the highway; thence N (18 deg
40
Beginning at the concrete monument, thence S (83 deg 58
06
10
E) for 150.00 ft along the East line of Brown; thence S (72 deg 21
10
E) for 170.00 ft along the South line of Smith; thence South for 68.00 ft
along the West line of Jones, back to the point of beginning.
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