Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

The statement that the long-lots system of land survey was implemented by French and Spanish settlers in North America is accurate. This method features narrow, elongated plots of land that extend back from rivers, roads, or other resources, allowing residents direct access to water or transportation routes. This system was particularly practical in areas where access to water was crucial for agriculture and transportation, reflecting the needs and practices of these colonizing groups. In contrast, the long-lots system is distinct from the surveys that originated in the United Kingdom, which typically utilized different approaches such as metes and bounds. Its focus on narrow, elongated plots also sets it apart from rectangular land survey methods, such as the Public Land Survey System, which divides land into uniform rectangular sections, primarily used in more recent federal land surveying efforts. Additionally, the long-lots system is more characteristic of rural regions rather than urban settings, further differentiating it from urban land survey practices that often prioritize different spatial allocations.