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

The term 'Section' in real estate specifically refers to an area of one mile by one mile, which is equivalent to 640 acres. This definition comes from the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which divides land into townships and sections for the purpose of sale and ownership delineation. Each township is made up of 36 sections, arranged in a grid formation. This standardized measurement helps provide a clear understanding of land size and helps facilitate legal descriptions and transactions in real estate. By understanding that a section represents a one-mile square area, one can effectively interpret property descriptions, survey data, and land use planning within the context of real estate in the United States, including Oregon.