Final answer:
Meridians and baselines are terms that relate to grid geographic coordinate systems used in property description for determining absolute location and defining property boundaries. Meridians represent lines of longitude, while baselines are reference lines for survey measurements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms meridians and baselines are most closely related to the system of property description known as a grid geographic coordinate system. Meridians are lines of longitude that run from the North Pole to the South Pole and are used to measure distances east or west of the Prime Meridian. Baselines, in surveying contexts, refer to an established line between two points from which measurements are taken. In property description, a baseline serves as a reference for surveyors to establish the position of land parcels.
During the colonial period, the English settlers introduced the metes and bounds system for claiming land, which resulted in irregular and varied land parcels, often defined by natural landmarks such as trees and streams. However, the development of grid coordinate systems provided a more systematic approach for expressing absolute location and defining property boundaries. Such systems rely on the concept of lines of latitude and longitude, with meridians playing a critical role in determining one's longitudinal position relative to the Prime Meridian.