"The district of Noakhali is a narrow strip of land 55 miles long and 22 miles broad, lying along the Bay of Bengal. It also includes a number of small islands situated in the Bay. Tippera lies to the north of Noakhali. The two districts are flanked by rivers and numerous streams flow through them. Towards the end of the monsoon, communications present serious difficulties and. in some parts. means of transport are restricted to small country boats which proceed along the hyacinth-covered water- ways at the rate of one mile per hour. Traveling on foot in these areas is more speedy and often more convenient."