Final answer:
In Minnesota's Subdivided Land Act, "subdivision" means the division of land into two or more lots. This process is integral to land development, aligning with historical practices and modern land-use regulations for orderly development and sale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "subdivision" in the context of Minnesota's Subdivided Land Act refers to the division of land into two or more lots (Option A). A subdivision typically involves a parcel of land being split into smaller parts that can be sold or developed separately. This process is a common practice in land development and urban planning.
Historically, the concept of subdividing land dates back to ordinances such as the Land Ordinance of 1785, which set out a system for dividing newly acquired land in the United States into a grid of townships and smaller sections. This facilitated the sale and settlement of land, especially in what was then considered the Northwest Territory. The township grid was initially divided into square mile sections of 640 acres, which could be further broken down into quarter sections of 160 acres or even smaller plots. The goal was to organize the land for sale and settlement, with the minimum price set for government sale at one dollar per acre.
The subdivision process is critical to land-use regulation, which includes planning for future development within municipalities and states. Local master plans and zoning ordinances guide how land can be subdivided and used, ensuring that subdivisions align with a given community's overall vision for growth and development.