Gaza is a province of Mozambique. It has an area of 75,709 km2[2] and a population of 1,422,460 (2017 census), which is the least populous of all the provinces of Mozambique.[3]
Most of the province lies in the basin of the Limpopo River, which runs from northwest to southeast through the province, emptying into the Indian Ocean near Xai-Xai. The Changane River, a tributary of the Limpopo, forms part of the province's eastern boundary. The Rio dos Elefantes (Olifants River) flows into the province from the west through the Massingir Dam, to empty into the Limpopo.
The Save River forms the northern boundary of the province.
The province, including the towns of Xai-Xai and Chokwe, were greatly affected by the 2000 Mozambique flood.
Limpopo National Park lies within the province, bounded by the Olifants and Limpopo rivers and the South African border. Banhine National Park lies in the east-central portion of the province. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and its associated conservation area, which is in the process of being formed, will cover the northern part of the province, including both national parks, and extend into adjacent parts of Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Districts
The province was created on October 20, 1954, when Sul do Save District was divided into the districts of Gaza, Inhambane, and Lourenço Marques (later renamed Maputo). In 1978, Mozambique's districts were renamed provinces.
Gaza Province is divided into the 14 districts of:
Limpopo District is one of the 14 Districts of Gaza Province. It was carved out of the existing district of Xai-Xai and the District of Bilene Macia in 2016, stretching from the Administrative Post of Chissano to its south and north of the city of Macia on the national EN 1 highway. It includes Administrative Posts of Licilo, Chicumbane and others. To the north, it borders the provincial capital city of Xai Xai on the bank of Limpopo River. The districts lies in the Limpopo Basin.
Economy
The province of Gaza is practically rural. It has no industrial economic activities of note. Subsistence farming is the order of the day.
Transport
The province is served by the national EN 1 highway.
Population
The province has approximately 1,422,460 (as of the 2017 census), with its largest city of Xai-Xai having a population of 116,343.
People and Education
The province is inhabited by the Shangaan people. The dominant languages are Shangaan and Portuguese.
Forty percent of the population can read and write. Education in the Gaza province still requires massive investment. Many students still study under the trees.
Demographics
Pied crows (Corvus albus) in a coconut palm, close to Xai-Xai, Gaza Province
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