In the context of property, what does the term 'land' imply?

The term 'land' in property law typically encompasses much more than just the surface of the ground. It includes not only the surface rights – which refer to the physical land itself – but also subsurface rights, which allow ownership and use of resources located beneath the surface, such as minerals, water, and oil. This comprehensive definition acknowledges that property rights extend vertically both above and below the land surface and can be critical for real estate transactions, development, and resource extraction.

In contrast, focusing solely on the ground level fails to recognize these valuable subsurface rights. Similarly, limiting the definition to commercial or residential land ignores the broader implications of land ownership, which can apply to all types of property regardless of its intended use. Thus, the understanding of land as both surface and below-ground rights is essential for a complete grasp of property ownership and rights in Louisiana's legal context.