Xai-Xai
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| Xai-Xai | |
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  Xai-Xai
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| Coordinates: 25°03′S 33°39′E / 25.05°S 33.65°E | |
| Country |  Mozambique |
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| Provinces | Gaza Province |
| District | Xai-Xai District |
| Elevation [1] | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2007)[2] | |
| - Total | 116 343 |
| - Languages | Portuguese, Tsonga |
| Time zone | +2 (UTC) |
Xai-Xai (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʃai ˈʃai]) is a city in the south of Mozambique. It is the capital of Gaza Province. As of 2007 it has a population of 116,343 [2]
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[edit] History
[edit] Portuguese rule
Xai-Xai, formerly João Belo, developed in the early 1900s, under Portuguese rule, as a companion port to Lourenço Marques (currently Maputo), though its economic significance was never on par with Mozambique's largest city.[3] Before independence from Portugal in 1975, Xai-Xai was known as João Belo, in the Overseas Province of Mozambique.[1] João Belo grew and developed under Portuguese rule as a port, agricultural and industrial centre (rice and cashew were produced and transformed), a provider of services, including a district hospital and banking, and an administrative centre. Tourism was also important with beaches and hotels.[4] In 1970, the city had 63,949 inhabitants.
[edit] After independence from Portugal
It was hit hard by 2000 floods of the Limpopo, with some buildings 3 metres (10 ft) under water.[5] However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.[5]
[edit] Geography
Xai-Xai is located close to the Indian Ocean, on the Limpopo River.[6] It is 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the capital, Maputo, and is in a wide, fertile plain where rice is grown.[6] It is at an elevation of 32 feet (9.8 m).[1]
Xai-Xai is situated 3.2 miles (5.1 km) away from Donguene, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) away from Macandene, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away from Chiluane and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away from Tavene.[1]
[edit] Attractions
Xai-Xai is a bustling town with markets, shops, restaurants, bars, petrol stations banks, and a post office.[6] A few blocks from the central market, there is an open-air furniture factory, located underneath several cashew trees.[7] The beach of Praia do Xai-Xai, approximately 12 km from Xai-Xai, has been a popular tourist attraction since Mozambican tourism was first developed.[6] A coral reef running parallel to the shore offers good snorkeling and protects the beach from strong waves.[6] In addition, the Wenela Tidal Pool, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the Indian Ocean.[6]
[edit] Demographics
| Year | Population[2] |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 63 949 |
| 1997 | 103 251 |
| 2007 | 116 343 |
[edit] Transport
Xai Xai was served by a 762 millimetres (30.0 in) gauge railway, which went to the city of Manjacaze and beyond. It lies on the EN1 road which connects with the roads from the Namaacha and Ressano Garcia borders.[6] It is possible to travel to Xai-Xai by charter flight from Maputo.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Xai-Xai, Mozambique". FallingRain Genomics. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MZ/2/XaiXai.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ a b c "Mozambique: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&geo=-153. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Mary (2007). Lonely Planet Mozambique. Lonely Planet. p. 82. ISBN 1740591887.
- ^ JOÃO BELO-XAI-XAI, a film of João Belo, Portuguese Mozambique, before 1975.
- ^ a b "Gaza Province » Cities and towns » Xai-Xai". go2africa.com. http://www.go2africa.com/mozambique/xai-xai. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Xai Xai". Southern Africa Places. http://www.places.co.za/html/xai_xai.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Xai Xai Accommodation and things to do". Mozambique Connection. http://www.mozambiqueconnection.co.za/xaixaiinfo.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
Coordinates: 25°03′S 33°39′E / 25.05°S 33.65°E
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