Located in the southern region of Mozambique, Xai-Xai, the capital of the Gaza province, sits on the Indian Ocean coastline and the eastern bank of the Limpopo River. Xai-Xai is 120 miles north of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Lying in the fertile valley of the Limpopo River, there are many crops, such as rice, beans, couve (similar to collard greens), and many other vegetables. There are also many cashew, lemon, orange, mango, avocado, coconut, and banana trees. The city of Xai-Xai is a growing community and has been working to rebuild itself over the past two decades after they were hit with a devastating flood in 2000. Travelers to Xai-Xai see one main road that stretches the length of the city. Many old brick buildings in need of repair can be seen amongst new businesses, restaurants, and government offices being built. The old and the new co-exist in a community that is currently home to over 115,000 people. Xai-Xai is subdivided into several zones, or subdivisions, where bamboo huts are the most common type of home. Xai-Xai is a very young community with almost fifty percent of their population being under the age of 18.
