Naaf
estuary, on the borders of Chittagong, to Cape Negrais. Length from
northern extremity to Cape Negrais, about 400 m.; greatest breadth in
the northern part, 90 m., gradually diminishing towards the south, as it
is hemmed in by the Arakan Yoma mountains, until, in the extreme south,
it tapers away to a narrow strip not more than 15 m. across. The coast
is studded with islands, the most important of which are Cheduba, Ramree
and Shahpura. The division has its headquarters at Akyab and consists of
four districts--namely, Akyab, Northern Arakan Hill Tracts, Sandoway and
Kyaukpyu, formerly called Ramree. Its area is 18,540 sq. m. The
population at the time of the British occupation in 1826 did not exceed
100,000. In 1831 it amounted to 173,000; in 1839 to 248,000, and in 1901
to 762,102.

The principal rivers of Arakan are--(1) the Naaf estuary, in the north,
which forms the boundary between the division and Chittagong; (2) the
Myu river, an arm of the sea, running a course almost parallel with the
coast for about 50 m.; (3) the Koladaing river, rising near the Blue
mountain, in the extreme north-east, and falling into the Bay of Bengal
a few miles south of the Myu river, navigable by vessels of from 300 to
400 tons burden for a distance of 40 m. inland; and (4) the Lemyu river,
a considerable stream falling into the bay a few miles south of the
Koladaing. Farther to the south, owing to the nearness of the range
which bounds Arakan on the east, the rivers are of but little
importance. These are the Talak and the Aeng, navigable by boats; and
the Sandoway, the Taungup and the Gwa streams, the latter of which alone
has any importance, owing to its mouth forming a good port of call or
haven for vessels of from 9 to 10 ft. draught. There are several passes
over the Yoma mountains, the easiest being that called the Aeng route,
leading from the village of that name into Upper Burma. The staple crop
of the province is rice, along with cotton, tobacco, sugar, hemp and
indigo. The forests produce abundance of excellent oak and teak timber.

The natives of Arakan trace their history as far back as 2666 B.C., and
give a lineal succession of 227 native princes down to modern times.
According to them, their empire had at one period far wider limits, and
extended over Ava, part of China, and a portion of Bengal. This
extension of their empire is not, however, corroborated by known facts
in history. At different times the Moguls and