Place:Xai-Xai
Xai-Xai João Belo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Municipal Council of Xai-Xai | |
  Xai-Xai | |
| Coordinates: [ ⚑ ] 25°03′00″S 33°39′00″E / 25.05°S 33.65°E | |
| Country |  Mozambique |
| Provinces | Gaza Province |
| District | Xai-Xai District |
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2007)[1] | |
| • Total | 116,343 |
| • Languages | Portuguese, Tsonga |
| Time zone | +2 |
| Climate | Aw |
Xai-Xai (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʃaj ˈʃaj]) is a city in the south of Mozambique. Until 1975, the city was named João Belo. It is the capital of Gaza Province. As of 2007 it has a population of 116,343.[1]
History
Portuguese rule
Xai-Xai, formerly João Belo, developed in the early 1900s, under Portuguese rule, as a companion port to Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), though its economic significance was never on par with Mozambique's largest city.[2] Before independence from Portugal in 1975, Xai-Xai was known as João Belo, in the Overseas Province of Mozambique.[3] João Belo grew and developed under Portuguese rule as a port, agricultural and industrial centre (rice and cashew were harvested and processed), 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.
Post-independence from Portugal
It was hit hard by the 2000 Limpopo floods, with some buildings 3 metres (10 ft) under water.[5] However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.[5]
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 9.8 m (32 ft).[3]
Xai-Xai is situated 5.2 km (3 1⁄4 mi) from Donguene, 4.0 km (2 1⁄2 mi) from Macandene, 2.8 km (1 3⁄4 mi) from Chiluane and 800 m (1⁄2 mi) from Tavene.[3]
Climate
Xai-Xai has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Script error: No such module "weather box".
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.[8] The beach of Praia do Xai-Xai, approximately 12 km from Xai-Xai, has been a popular tourist attraction since Mozambican tourism, originally under Portuguese administration, was first developed before 1975.[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, two kilometres (1 1⁄4 mi) south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the Indian Ocean.[6] Right on Praia de Xai Xai Beach there is a giant rock pool that forms at medium and low tides that is up to 200 metres long, forming a giant safe pool for families and swimmers.[9]
Demographics
| Year | Population[1] |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 63,949 |
| 1997 | 103,251 |
| 2007 | 116,343 |
Transport
Xai Xai was served by the 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge Gaza 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]
In 2017, the People's Republic of China pledged $60 million to build an airport in Xai-Xai.[10]
That airport was inaugurated in 2021[11] and is served by one airline, LAM Mozambique.
Gallery
Praia do Xai-Xai
Xai-Xai train station
Prawns at Xai-Xai market
.jpg)
Sister city
Cascais, Portugal
See also
- List of reduplicated place names
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "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.
- ↑ Fitzpatrick, Mary (2007). Lonely Planet Mozambique. Lonely Planet. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-74059-188-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Xai-Xai, Mozambique". FallingRain Genomics. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MZ/2/XaiXai.html.
- ↑ JOÃO BELO-XAI-XAI, a film of João Belo, Portuguese Mozambique, before 1975.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Gaza Province » Cities and towns » Xai-Xai". go2africa.com. http://www.go2africa.com/mozambique/xai-xai.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 "Xai Xai". Southern Africa Places. http://www.places.co.za/html/xai_xai.html.
- ↑ "Climate Statistics for Xai-Xai, Mozambique". http://www.world-climates.com/city-climate-xai-xai-mozambique-africa/.
- ↑ "Xai Xai Accommodation and things to do". Mozambique Connection. http://www.mozambiqueconnection.co.za/xaixaiinfo.html.
- ↑ "Xai Xai Hotels and information". http://www.mozambicanhotels.com/xai-xai-hotels.
- ↑ Tebele, Mpho (December 15, 2017). "China to finance Xai-Xai airport in Mozambique". The Southern Times. https://southernafrican.news/2017/12/15/china-to-finance-xai-xai-airport-in-mozambique/. "The Chinese government has pledged to grant $60 million to Mozambique to build an airport at Xai-Xai, capital of the southern province of Gaza."
- ↑ "Mozambique's President inaugurates newly Completed Chongoene Airport, Praises China's role in Africa's Growth". 3 December 2021. https://airspace-africa.com/2021/12/03/mozambiques-president-inaugurates-newly-completed-chongoene-airport-praises-chinas-role-in-africas-growth/.
[ ⚑ ] 25°03′S 33°39′E / 25.05°S 33.65°E
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