How many acres are contained in one section of land?

One section of land is defined as a parcel of land that measures one mile by one mile. Since each mile contains 5,280 feet, when calculated, the area becomes 5,280 feet x 5,280 feet, which equals 27,878,400 square feet. When this area is converted into acres, it results in 640 acres.

This historical context is rooted in the Public Land Survey System established in the United States, which divided land into sections to facilitate sales and ownership of land, making the 640-acre section the standard measurement for land. Each section can be further divided into half sections, quarter sections, and so on, but the whole unit of one section maintains the fixed area of 640 acres. This standard is essential for land surveying, real estate, and land management practices.