Land grants are legal agreements where a government or authority provides land to individuals or groups, often for specific purposes like agriculture, settlement, or education. These grants can be given to private citizens, organizations, or even states, and they usually come with certain conditions or requirements that must be met. Historically, land grants have played a significant role in the expansion of territories, such as in the case of the Homestead Act in the United States. This act encouraged westward migration by offering land to settlers who would cultivate it, thus promoting development and settlement in new areas.