Xai-Xai

Xai-Xai
A street scene in Xai-Xai
Xai-Xai
Coordinates: 25°03′00″S 33°39′00″E / 25.05000°S 33.65000°E / -25.05000; 33.65000
Country	Mozambique
Provinces	Gaza Province
District	Xai-Xai District
Elevation	9 m (30 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	116 343
• Languages	Portuguese, Tsonga
Time zone	+2

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

Xai-Xai, formerly João Belo, developed in the early 1900s, under Portuguese rule, as a companion port to Lourenço Marques (currently Maputo), 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 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.

It was hit hard by 2000 floods of the Limpopo, with some buildings 3 metres (10 ft) under water. However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.

Xai-Xai is located close to the Indian Ocean, on the Limpopo River. It is 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the capital, Maputo, and is in a wide, fertile plain where rice is grown. It is at an elevation of 32 feet (9.8 m).

Xai-Xai is situated 3.2 miles (5.1 km) away from Donguene, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) away from Macandene, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away from Chiluane and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away from Tavene.

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, 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, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the Indian Ocean. 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.