Guide Meridian is a road in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The spelling of the word "guide," pronounced /ɡaɪd/, refers to being a leader or a source of direction. Meridian, pronounced /məˈrɪdiən/, is a line of longitude on a map that helps define locations. Together, "guide meridian" (/ɡaɪd məˈrɪdiən/) serves as a navigational tool for the region. Interestingly, the two words were originally intended to be separate but became a compound word due to an error in surveying.
A guide meridian refers to an imaginary line on the Earth's surface that is utilized as a reference guide for establishing and measuring the location of land in the context of land surveying and land descriptions. Also known as a principal meridian or a baseline, a guide meridian is an essential component of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which was developed in the United States for the systematic division and management of land.
Guide meridians are typically north-south lines that run through a specific point or landmark known as the initial point. They serve as a permanent reference for determining the position of other meridians and subsequently dividing land into townships and sections. These lines are often established by the federal government or relevant land agencies to create a standardized grid system. The intersections formed by guide meridians and other meridians, known as range lines, create square or rectangular units of land, contributing to a more systematic and efficient method of land management.
Land descriptions and legal descriptions of real estate often refer to guide meridians when accurately indicating the precise location and boundaries of a particular property. The guide meridian system is vital for land surveyors, cartographers, and other professionals involved in land mapping and property documentation. By adhering to the guide meridian established for a specific area, the consistent and precise spatial reference system assists in maintaining consistency and accuracy in land descriptions and property boundaries across the region.