How is a 'principal meridian' significant in property descriptions?

A principal meridian serves as a crucial reference point in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which is utilized for land descriptions in the United States. It is an imaginary line that runs north-south and is used as a baseline for creating township and range definitions. The significance of the principal meridian lies in its role as the starting point for these land descriptions. This system allows for the precise identification and location of parcels of land, facilitating property transactions and land management.

In contrast, while property boundaries typically involve precise measurements that may reference a principal meridian, they are not defined by it alone. The indication of land value does not directly relate to the concept of a principal meridian, as value is determined by various factors including market conditions and property features rather than geographical references. Lastly, marking government land may be part of land surveying, but the primary function of a principal meridian is to serve as a reference point for the systematic organization of land rather than simply indicating government-owned areas.