Chókwè | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Chókwè | |
 Chókwè District on the map of Mozambique | |
| Country | Mozambique |
| Province | Gaza |
| Capital | Chokwe |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,466 km2 (952 sq mi) |
| Population (2007 census) | |
• Total | 187,422 |
| • Density | 76.00/km2 (196.8/sq mi) |
Chókwè District is adistrict ofGaza Province in south-westernMozambique. Its principal town isChokwe. The district is located in the south of the province, and borders withMabalane District in the north,Guijá District in the east,Chibuto,Xai-Xai, andBilene Macia Districts in the southeast,Magude District ofMaputo Province in the south, and withMassingir District in the west. The area of the district is 2,466 square kilometres (952 sq mi).[1] It has a population of 187,422 (2007).[2]
It is regarded as the economic capital of Gaza Province. Chokwe District has one of the most extensive health networks in Mozambique. It is inhabited byTsonga-shangaan speaking people. However, in the post independence period it has seen an influx of people from other ethnic groups. Chokwe, being in the Limpopo Corridor, is also home to many Zimbabwean immigrants. It has banks, a community radio station (Radio Vembe), and a train station.
In 2013, singerStewart Sukuma, National Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Mozambique, visited flood victims at theChiaquelane accommodation center in Chókwè District, evacuated due to flooding of theLimpopo River.[3][4][5]
The whole district is flat, with the maximum altitude below 100 metres (330 ft) above the sea level, and located in the valley of theLimpopo River, which traverses the district from northwest to southeast. A major right tributary of the Limpopo is theOlifants River.[1]
The climate is tropical semi-arid, with the average annual rainfall ranging 500 millimetres (20 in) and 800 millimetres (31 in).[1]
As of 2005, 44% of the population of the district was younger than 15 years. 54% of the population spoke Portuguese. The most common mothertongue among the population wasTsonga. 58% were analphabetic, mostly women.[1]
The four administrative divisions (posto administrativo) are:[1]
In the district, there are 31,000 farms which have on average 2.1 hectares (0.0081 sq mi) of land. The main agricultural products are corn,cassava,cowpea, peanut, sweet potato, and rice.[1]
There is a road network in the district of the total length of 510 kilometres (320 mi), including a 160 kilometres (99 mi) of national roads.[1] The bridge over the Limpopo River on the road connectingCaniçado andChokwe was destroyed by Rhodesian forces in 1978, and a new bridge was only completed at the end of 2007.[6] TheLimpopo Railroad (Southern System) runs through the district, connectingMaputo andChicualacuala.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
13°22′48″S39°57′07″E / 13.380°S 39.952°E /-13.380; 39.952
