A square mile (often abbreviated as sq mi or mi²) is a unit of area used primarily in the United States and a few other countries. It is defined as the area of a square with sides that each measure one mile in length. One square mile is equal to 640 acres.
In terms of the International System of Units (SI), one square mile is approximately equal to 2.58999 square kilometers (km²).
To provide some perspective, a square mile is commonly used to describe land areas within cities, counties, and states in the United States. It's a convenient unit for measuring larger land areas, such as the size of cities or counties.
A township can have different meanings depending on the country and context in which it is used:
United States and Canada (North America): In North America, a township is a specific type of administrative division used in land survey systems. In the United States, townships are most commonly used in the Midwest and some other parts of the country. In Canada, townships are used primarily in the eastern provinces. These townships are typically a square area of land, typically six miles by six miles (36 square miles), or a similar configuration depending on the specific survey system used. Townships can be further divided into smaller units, such as sections, for land management and ownership purposes.
South Africa: In South Africa, a township refers to a residential area established during the apartheid era for non-white citizens. These areas were segregated from the main cities and towns and often experienced poor living conditions. Today, many townships have evolved and have improved living conditions, but the term is still associated with historically segregated communities.
Australia: In Australia, the term "township" is often used to refer to small rural towns or settlements. These are typically smaller than cities or larger towns and often serve as centers for local communities.