Range lines appear every how many miles east and west of a principal meridian?

Range lines are established every 6 miles east and west of a principal meridian as part of the rectangular survey system, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). This system is used to divide land into townships and sections for easier identification and management.

Each township is typically 6 miles by 6 miles, and range lines run parallel to the principal meridian which helps to create a grid. The intervals of 6 miles ensure that the land is systematically divided, facilitating more straightforward navigation and ownership delineation. This structure is crucial for land surveying and development, as it provides a consistent and universally recognizable framework.

The other options reflect distances that do not align with the established grid intersecting the principal meridian in the rectangular survey system used in Alabama and across the United States.