Arpent

The word arpent is believed to derive from the Late Latin arepennis (equal to half a jugerum), which in turn comes from the Gaulish *are-penno- ("end, extremity of a field"). ==Unit of length==

There were various standard arpents. The most common were the arpent used in North America, which was defined as 180 French feet ('''', of approximately ), and the arpent used in Paris, which was defined as 220 French feet. • In North America, 1 arpent = 180 French feet = about 192 English feet = about 58.47 metres • In Paris, 1 arpent = 220 French feet = about 234 English feet = about 71.46 metres ==Unit of area==

Historically, in North America, 1 (square) arpent (''''), also known as a French acre, was 180 French feet × 180 French feet = 32,400 French square feet = about 3419 square metres = about 0.845 English acres. Certain U.S. states have official definitions of the arpent which vary slightly: • In Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, the official conversion is 1 arpent = . • In Arkansas and Missouri, the official conversion is 1 arpent = . In Paris, the square arpent was 220 French feet × 220 French feet = 48,400 French square feet, about . In Mauritius and Seychelles, an arpent is about 4220.87 square metres, 0.4221 hectares, 1.043 acres. ==Louisiana==

In Louisiana, parcels of land known as arpent sections or French arpent land grants also pre-date the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), but are treated as PLSS sections. An arpent can mean a linear measurement of approximately or an area measurement of about . The area measurement is also sometimes referred to as an arpent carré (square arpent) or an arpent de surface. French arpent land divisions are long narrow parcels of land, also called ribbon farms, usually found along the navigable streams of southern Louisiana and along major waterways in other areas. This system of land subdivision was begun by French settlers in the 18th century, according to typical French practice at the time and was continued by both the Spanish and by the American government after the sale of Louisiana. A typical French arpent land division is 2 to 4 arpents wide along the river by 40 to 60 arpents deep, while the Spanish arpent land divisions tend to be 6 to 8 arpents wide by 40 arpents deep. Land grant would typically be specified in terms of arpents de face, referring to the amount of river frontage. ==See also==