Which direction does the numbering of sections start in a standard land layout?

The correct answer is that the numbering of sections in a standard land layout starts in the Northeast and proceeds to the Southeast. This method is established by the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which divides land into townships and sections for easier location and identification.

In this system, each township is divided into 36 sections, with each section typically measuring one square mile. The numbering begins in the northeasternmost section (Section 1), moves across to the east (Sections 2 through 6), and then drops down to the next row of sections (Sections 7 through 12), continuing this pattern until all sections are numbered. This systematic approach allows for straightforward navigation and reference in land description, which is a crucial aspect of land management and legal property transactions in Nevada and many other states.

The other options do not align with this established method of numbering. For example, starting from the Northwest would disrupt the logical progression and could lead to confusion, which is why the Northeast to Southeast approach is the standard practice.