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 acre is a unit of area and is used in the imperial and US customary systems with the symbol a.
It represents the area the size of one chain by one furlong (66 by 660 feet). This is exactly equal to 10 square chains, 1⁄640 of a square mile or 43,560 square feet.
It is generally used to measure the size of land.