Xai-Xai

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Xai-Xai
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image_caption = A street scene in Xai-Xai


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = MOZ
subdivision_type1 = Provinces
subdivision_name1 = Gaza Province
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Xai-Xai District
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population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes = cite web |url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&geo=-153 |title=Mozambique: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work=World Gazetteer |date= ]
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population_total = 116 343
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population_blank1_title =Languages
population_blank1 =Portuguese, Tsonga
population_blank2_title =Religions
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timezone = +2
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latd= 25|latm= 03|lats= |latNS=S
longd=33 |longm=39|longs= |longEW=E
elevation_footnotes = cite web| url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MZ/2/XaiXai.html |title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Xai-Xai, Mozambique |work=FallingRain Genomics |accessdate=2008-06-17]
elevation_m = 9
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Xai-Xai (pronounced "shy-shy") 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 cite web |url=http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&geo=-153 |title=Mozambique: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work=World Gazetteer |date= ]

History

Xai-Xai developed in the early 1900s as a companion port to Maputo, though its economic significance was never on par with the national capital. [cite book |title=Lonely Planet Mozambique |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Mary |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Lonely Planet |location= |isbn=1740591887 |pages=p.82 ] Before 1975, Xai-Xai was known as João Belo. It was hit hard by 2000 floods of the Limpopo, with some buildings 3 meters under water.cite web |url=http://www.go2africa.com/mozambique/xai-xai |title=Gaza Province » Cities and towns » Xai-Xai |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work=go2africa.com |date= ] However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.

Geography

Xai-Xai is located close to the Indian Ocean, on the Limpopo River.cite web |url=http://www.places.co.za/html/xai_xai.html |title=Xai Xai |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work=Southern Africa Places |date= ] It is 200km from the capital, Maputo, and is in a wide, fertile plain where rice is grown. It is at an elevation of Unit foot|32|0.

Xai-Xai is situated Unit mile|3.2|0 away from Donguene, Unit mile|2.5|0 away from Macandene, Unit mile|1.7|0 away from Chiluane and Unit mile|0.5|0 away from Tavene.

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. [cite web |url=http://www.mozambiqueconnection.co.za/xaixaiinfo.html |title=Xai Xai Accommodation and things to do |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work=Mozambique Connection |date= ] The beach of Praia do Xai-Xai, approximately 12km from Xai-Xai, has been a popular tourist attraction since Mozambican tourism was first developed. A coral reef running parallel to the shore offers good snorkeling and protects the beach from strong waves. In addition, the Wenela Tidal Pool, 2km south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the Indian Ocean.

Demographics

Transport

Xai Xai was served by a 762mm 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. It is possible to travel to Xai-Xai by charter flight from Maputo.

References