What does the term 'range' refer to in real estate?

In real estate, the term 'range' refers specifically to the area of land that lies between two consecutive range lines. Range lines are part of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which is utilized in the United States to provide a standardized method for describing land. The PLSS divides the land into townships, which are further divided into sections. Each range designation indicates a vertical column of townships running north and south, numbered east or west from a meridian.

Understanding this concept is crucial for real estate professionals as it helps in land surveying, property description, and understanding land use regulations. 'Range' thus indicates not just a distance or total area but a specific segment of land that is systematically defined based on its relationship to designated range lines.