Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator Practice Exam

Which type of legal description includes coordinates such as N 45°, 30 minutes 22 seconds E?

1. Lot and Block

2. Metes and Bounds

3. Rectangular Survey

4. Geographic Description

The correct answer is: Metes and Bounds

The correct answer is metes and bounds, as this method of legal description uses specific measurements and directions to define the boundaries of a property. The format provided in the question, which includes coordinates such as N 45°, 30 minutes 22 seconds E, reflects the detailed nature of metes and bounds, where directions and distances are used to pinpoint the exact location and layout of a parcel of land. This description typically starts at a defined point and describes the perimeter of the property using angles and distances to reach the endpoint, making it highly precise. In contrast, lot and block descriptions refer to subdivisions recorded in a plat map and thus do not use angular measurements. The rectangular survey method, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), divides land into grids based on meridians and baselines, not specific directional coordinates. A geographic description generally refers to a broader context without providing the precise legal delineation characteristic of metes and bounds.