How many acres are contained in a section?

A section is a standard unit of measurement used in land surveying that equals one square mile. Since one square mile contains 640 acres, a section contains exactly 640 acres. This measurement system is rooted in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which divides land into neatly defined squares for easier identification and transfer of property. Recognizing that a section is 640 acres is integral to understanding land measurements in Louisiana and throughout the United States, particularly in contexts involving title insurance, property transactions, and land development.