Xai-Xai District

Xai-Xai District is a district of Gaza Province in south-western Mozambique. The administrative center of the district is Chongoene. The district is located in the south of the province, and borders with Chibuto District in the north, Manjacaze District in the east, Bilene Macia District in the southeast, and with Chókwè District in the west. In the south, it is bounded by the Indian Ocean. The area of the district is 1,908 square kilometres (737 sq mi).[1] It has a population of 188,720 as of 2007.[2]

Xai-Xai
District
Xai-Xai District on the map of Mozambique
Country	Mozambique
Province	Gaza
Capital	Chongoene
Area
• Total	1,908 km^2 (737 sq mi)
Population  (2007 census)
• Total	166,488
• Density	87/km^2 (230/sq mi)

Geography

The Limpopo River flows through the district to the ocean. The Lumane River, a tributary of the Limpopo, is an outflow of Lake Pave. Other rivers only flow during the rainy season.[1]

The climate of the district is tropical humid. The annual rainfall varies between 925 millimetres (36.4 in) and 1,145 millimetres (45.1 in).[1]

History

In 1925, Gaza Province was transformed into the district with the administrative center in Chongoene, however, in the same year the center was transferred to Xai-Xai. The settlement due to its location close to the mouth of the Limpopo River, had a tremendous impact on the area. Xai-Xai was renamed Vila João Belo; the original name was returned after the independence.[1]

Demographics

As of 2005, 44% of the population of the district was younger than 15 years. 42% of the population spoke Portuguese. The most common mothertongue among the population was Tsonga. 52% were analphabetic, mostly women.[1]

Administrative divisions

The district is divided into three postos, Chicumbane (five localities), Chongoene (five localities), and Zongoene (three localities). The city of Xai-Xai is incorporated separately and does not belong to the district.[1]

Economy

3% of the households in the district have access to electricity.[1]

Agriculture

In the district, there are 10,000 farms which have on average 1.1 hectares (0.0042 sq mi) of land. The main agricultural products are corn, cassava, cowpea, peanut, sweet potato, and rice. Population of cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats was steadily growing prior to 2005.[1]

Transportation

There is a road network in the district which includes a stretch of the national road EN1, connecting Maputo and Inhambane, as well as secondary roads.[1]

References

1. "Perfil do Distrito de Xai-Xai" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Ministry of State Administration. 2005. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
2. "População da Provincia de Gaza". Censo 2007 (in Portuguese). Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.