What does it mean to divide an area by a distance?

Question

Let's say for example we divide 2m^2 by 1m, the result is 2m. What is the physical interpretation of this? I mean, dividing an area by a distance makes no sense to me.

Answer 1

If a rectangular piece of fabric has area $2m^2$ and one side is $1m$ long how long is the other side?

You might enjoy this droppings xkcd. Read down to the line

Gas mileage is measured in square meters.