Final answer:
A description stating 'Section 22, township 3 North Range 4 East of the 5th principal meridian' refers to a legal land description in the township and range system, which is a methodical grid system for subdividing land.
Step-by-step explanation:
The description "Section 22, township 3 North Range 4 East of the 5th principal meridian" is a type of land description known as the township and range system. Developed by Thomas Jefferson, this system was designed to replace the more arbitrary metes and bounds system that was commonly used during colonial times. Unlike the metes and bounds system which relied on natural landmarks for boundaries, the township and range system uses a grid pattern to subdivide land into more uniform sections.
The basic unit of this grid system is a township, which is a square piece of land six miles on each side. This township is then divided into 36 sections, each being one square mile or 640 acres. These sections can be further divided into quarter sections of 160 acres and quarter-quarter sections of 40 acres. This orderly division facilitates easier land sale and management and has had lasting implications on the culture, politics, and economics of regions where it was applied.