The square mile is a unit of area and is an imperial unit with the symbol mi².
One square mile is equal in area to a square with edges one mile in length.
The Romans established the square mile; computed through a system of feet, paces and marches. The square mile's existence still remains in some places; for example "The Square Mile" is a term often used to describe the very centre of London in the UK (which just so happens to measure 1mi²).
The rood is a unit of area used in historic England with the symbol ro.
Its unit size is equal to 1/4 of an acre, 10,890 ft² or 1,012m². A rectangle equal to one furlong in length and one rod in width is one rood in area.
Its use was very important in surveying land because of the ease of conversion into acres from smaller sections of land.