What is the key advantage of using metes and bounds over other land description methods?

The key advantage of using metes and bounds in land description is its flexibility to describe irregular shapes. This method allows for detailed and adaptable descriptions of property boundaries based on natural features and precise measurements. Unlike more rigid systems such as rectangular surveys, metes and bounds can account for the unique contours and characteristics of the land, making it particularly useful in areas where plots of land do not conform to regular geometrical shapes.

Metes and bounds descriptions use landmarks (metes) and distances (bounds) to outline a parcel of land. This adaptability is crucial in densely populated or geologically diverse areas where straight lines are difficult to achieve. As a result, planners and surveyors can create descriptions that accurately reflect the intricacies of a given piece of land, ensuring clarity in property ownership and helping to avoid disputes.

The other methods of land description, such as lot and block systems or rectangular surveys, are often better suited for more standardized and uniformly shaped parcels. By using metes and bounds, surveyors can provide comprehensive, tailored descriptions that capture the true nature of the terrain involved.