Which term describes an imaginary line of latitude used to identify townships in relation to a principal meridian?

The term that describes an imaginary line of latitude used to identify townships in relation to a principal meridian is known as a baseline. Baselines are essential in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) as they serve as the horizontal reference lines from which townships are measured. Each baseline is paired with a principal meridian, which is the vertical reference line. This configuration helps in creating a grid system that delineates land for property distribution and is fundamental in land surveying and management. Townships are then defined as areas measuring six miles on each side, positioned north or south of the baseline and east or west of the principal meridian.

Whereas terms like principal meridian and township line refer to specific vertical and horizontal divisions in the surveying system, they do not denote the latitude reference itself. Longitude lines, on the other hand, primarily measure distances east and west, failing to describe any line relevant to latitude. Hence, baseline is the correct term for the latitude line connected to township identification.