The lines run north and south and provide a starting point for all east and west measurements. The grid is completed using a base line which runs east and west. All north and south measurements are made using this line. The lines intersect at the principle base and meridian point. Once a grid system is created using meridian and base lines, townships and ranges are defined within the grid.
Townships run east and west in columns.
The columns running north and south are called ranges. The township in the upper left of the example grid is numbered by counting two townships north of the base line and two ranges west of the meridian. This location is designated as Township 2 North, Range 2 West. They are numbered beginning in the top right corner of the township, running left and then back to the right. This numbering allows each section to remain connected to the sections that precede and follow it.