Please tell me why US counties are shaped so differently.

[The Chill Moderate Republican]

Some counties in the united states are shaped like a perfect square, others seem to randomly rap around the coast and some are so misshapen it concerns me why they are like this geographically.

may someone kindly answer my question.

[Nyvin]

The country was formed from east to west.   When a lot of the east coast counties were formed there was no modern technology to assist, some of them dating back to the 18th century even.   They most just follow geographic features or just property lines of the land holders.   

The ones out west were made with lines that were clearly demarcated,  thus were usually straight unless there's a major geographic feature, like the Colorado River along the southern Nevada border.

[progressive85]

ah that makes sense.