Xai-Xai () is a city in the south of
Mozambique
Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...
. 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.
History
Portuguese rule
Xai-Xai, formerly João Belo, developed in the early 1900s, under
Portuguese rule
The Portuguese Empire ( pt, Império Português), also known as the Portuguese Overseas (''Ultramar Português'') or the Portuguese Colonial Empire (''Império Colonial Português''), was composed of the overseas Colonialism, colonies, Factory ...
, as a companion port to Lourenço Marques (now
Maputo
Maputo (), formerly named Lourenço Marques until 1976, is the capital, and largest city of Mozambique. Located near the southern end of the country, it is within of the borders with Eswatini and South Africa. The city has a population of 1,0 ...
), though its economic significance was never on par with Mozambique's largest city. Before independence from Portugal in 1975, Xai-Xai was known as João Belo, in the
Overseas Province of Mozambique.
João Belo grew and developed under Portuguese rule as a port, agricultural and industrial centre (
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticat ...
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. In 1970, the city had 63,949 inhabitants.
Post-independence from Portugal
It was hit hard by
the 2000 Limpopo floods, with some buildings under water.
However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.
[
]
Geography
Xai-Xai is located close to the Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or ~19.8% of the water on Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east. To the south it is bounded by t ...
, on the Limpopo River
The Limpopo River rises in South Africa and flows generally eastward through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. The term Limpopo is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a group of Tsonga settlers led by Hosi Rivombo who settled in the mountain ...
. It is from the capital, Maputo
Maputo (), formerly named Lourenço Marques until 1976, is the capital, and largest city of Mozambique. Located near the southern end of the country, it is within of the borders with Eswatini and South Africa. The city has a population of 1,0 ...
, and is in a wide, fertile plain where rice is grown.[ It is at an elevation of .][
Xai-Xai is situated from Donguene, from Macandene, from Chiluane and from Tavene.][
]
Climate
Xai-Xai has a tropical savanna climate
Tropical savanna climate or tropical wet and dry climate is a tropical climate sub-type that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification categories ''Aw'' (for a dry winter) and ''As'' (for a dry summer). The driest month has less than of p ...
(Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
''Aw'').
Attractions
Xai-Xai is a bustling town with markets, shops, restaurants, bars, petrol stations, banks, and a post office.[ A few blocks from the central market, there is an open-air furniture factory, located underneath several cashew trees. The beach of ]Praia do Xai-Xai
Praia do Xai-Xai is a beach which is a tourist destination in Mozambique. Located approximately 10 kilometers from Xai-Xai
Xai-Xai () is a city in the south of Mozambique. Until 1975, the city was named João Belo. It is the capital of Gaza Pr ...
, approximately 12 km from Xai-Xai, has been a popular tourist attraction since Mozambican tourism, originally under Portuguese administration, was first developed before 1975.[ A coral reef running parallel to the shore offers good snorkeling and protects the beach from strong waves.][ In addition, the Wenela Tidal Pool, south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the ]Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or ~19.8% of the water on Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east. To the south it is bounded by t ...
.[
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.
]
Demographics
Transport
Xai Xai was served by the gauge Gaza Railway
The Gaza Railway is a narrow gauge railway operating in southern Mozambique from Xai-Xai (former Villa de João Belo) via Manjacaze junction (53 km) with branches to Chicomo (37 km) and Mauela (50 km). It was constructed in the e ...
, which went to the city of Manjacaze
Manjacaze (''Manxakadze'') is a town in the province of Gaza, Mozambique. It serves as the administrative center of Manjacaze District.
Demographics
Economy
The town formerly had a cashew processing plant, which was shut down in the early ...
and beyond. It lies on the EN1 road which connects with the roads from the Namaacha
Namaacha or Naamacha is a town in southern Mozambique, lying 80 kilometers west of Maputo on the border with Eswatini. It is located in the Lebombos area. It is known for its colonial church and for its waterfall.
The town of Namaacha lies in ...
and Ressano Garcia borders.[ It is possible to travel to Xai-Xai by charter flight from Maputo.][
In 2017, the ]People's Republic of China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
pledged $60 million to build an airport in Xai-Xai.
That airport was inaugurated in 2021 and is served by one airline, LAM Mozambique.
Gallery
Beach in xaixai.jpg, Praia do Xai-Xai
Praia do Xai-Xai is a beach which is a tourist destination in Mozambique. Located approximately 10 kilometers from Xai-Xai
Xai-Xai () is a city in the south of Mozambique. Until 1975, the city was named João Belo. It is the capital of Gaza Pr ...
Xai-Xai train station (9493131901).jpg, Xai-Xai train station
Prawns at Xai-Xai market.JPG, Prawns at Xai-Xai market
Sister city
* Cascais, Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
See also
* List of reduplicated place names
This is a list of places with reduplication in their names, often as a result of the grammatical rules of the languages from which the names are derived.
Duplicated names from the indigenous languages of Australia, Chile and New Zealand are l ...
References
{{Provincial capitals of Mozambique
Limpopo River
Populated places in Gaza Province
Provincial capitals in Mozambique