What do parallel lines 6 miles apart running north-south that denote east-west locations of townships represent?

The correct answer pertains to the concept of range lines, which are essential components of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) used in the United States to describe land parcels. Range lines are the vertical lines that run north-south and are typically spaced six miles apart, marking the east-west divisions of townships. Each range line helps in identifying specific locations within a township, which is itself a six-mile by six-mile square that is subdivided into sections for land management and ownership.

In contrast, township lines are the horizontal lines that run east-west and mark north-south divisions of townships. Section lines are the divisions within each township that further divide the area into smaller plots, typically sections, which are one square mile each. Boundary lines generally refer to the legal borders of properties, often influenced by a variety of factors, and don't specifically adhere to the systematic layout established by the PLSS. Understanding the relationships between these lines is crucial for interpreting land surveys, so recognizing range lines as the correct answer highlights the importance of their role in land division and organization in the context of the PLSS.