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]
Xai-Xai João Belo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Municipal Council of Xai-Xai | |
  Xai-Xai | |
| Coordinates: 25°03′00″S 33°39′00″E / 25.05000°S 33.65000°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 |
History edit
Portuguese rule edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Xai-Xai has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw).
| Climate data for Xai-Xai | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.2 (88.2) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.2 (86.4) | 28.9 (84.0) | 27 (81) | 25 (77) | 24.9 (76.8) | 26.3 (79.3) | 27.7 (81.9) | 29.1 (84.4) | 30 (86) | 30.9 (87.6) | 28.5 (83.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.5 (79.7) | 26.4 (79.5) | 25.6 (78.1) | 23.6 (74.5) | 21.2 (70.2) | 18.8 (65.8) | 18.5 (65.3) | 20.0 (68.0) | 21.7 (71.1) | 23.4 (74.1) | 24.7 (76.5) | 25.9 (78.6) | 23.0 (73.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.7 (71.1) | 21.9 (71.4) | 20.9 (69.6) | 18.4 (65.1) | 15.3 (59.5) | 12.6 (54.7) | 12.1 (53.8) | 13.6 (56.5) | 15.7 (60.3) | 17.6 (63.7) | 19.4 (66.9) | 20.8 (69.4) | 17.5 (63.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 134.7 (5.30) | 131.9 (5.19) | 104.5 (4.11) | 99.0 (3.90) | 89.0 (3.50) | 63.9 (2.52) | 49.6 (1.95) | 32.8 (1.29) | 33.6 (1.32) | 66.3 (2.61) | 71.6 (2.82) | 123.2 (4.85) | 1,000.1 (39.36) |
| Source: World Climate [7] | |||||||||||||
Attractions edit
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 edit
| Year | Population[1] |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 63,949 |
| 1997 | 103,251 |
| 2007 | 116,343 |
Transport edit
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 edit
Xai-Xai train station
Prawns at Xai-Xai market
.jpg)
Sister city edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Mozambique: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 2008-06-17.[dead link]
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Mary (2007). Lonely Planet Mozambique. Lonely Planet. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-74059-188-1.
- ^ a b c "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Xai-Xai, Mozambique". FallingRain Genomics. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ JOÃO BELO-XAI-XAI, a film of João Belo, Portuguese Mozambique, before 1975.
- ^ a b "Gaza Province » Cities and towns » Xai-Xai". go2africa.com. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Xai Xai". Southern Africa Places. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Climate Statistics for Xai-Xai, Mozambique". Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ^ "Xai Xai Accommodation and things to do". Mozambique Connection. Archived from the original on March 31, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Xai Xai Hotels and information". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
- ^ Tebele, Mpho (December 15, 2017). "China to finance Xai-Xai airport in Mozambique". The Southern Times. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
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.