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Xai-Xai
Capital city of Gaza, Mozambique From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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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, caused by four weeks of heavy rainfall accompanying Cyclone Leon-Eline, leaving some buildings 3 metres (10 ft) under water.[5] However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.[5]
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Geography
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Perspective
At an elevation of 9.8 m (32 ft),[3] Xai-Xai is located on the Limpopo River, close to the Indian Ocean,[6] and in a wide, fertile plain where rice is grown.[6] It is 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the capital, Maputo, and is 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).
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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] Xai-Xai Beach, 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 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
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.
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Gallery
Xai-Xai train station
Prawns at Xai-Xai market
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Sister city
See also
References
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