What land-surveying law divided much of the early U.S. public domain into townships and sections?

The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided much of the early U.S. public domain into townships and sections.

The Confederation Congress enacted the law to survey and sell western lands north and west of the Ohio River. Surveyors divided the territory into townships measuring six miles by six miles. Each township contained 36 sections, with each section covering one square mile, or 640 acres.

The rectangular survey system helped the federal government sell land in an orderly way and raise revenue. One section in each township was reserved for public education, while other parcels could be purchased by individuals or land companies.

The law is often confused with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The Land Ordinance addressed surveying and land sales, whereas the Northwest Ordinance established territorial government and rules for future statehood. The same basic grid later influenced western settlement far beyond the original Northwest Territory.