Moamba District is a district of Maputo Province in southern Mozambique. Its main town is Moamba. The district is located in the western part of the province, and borders with Magude District in the north, Manhiça and Marracuene Districts in the east, the city of Matola in the southeast, Boane District and Namaacha District in the south, and with Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, in the west. The area of the district is 4628 km2. It has a population of 56,335 as of 2007.

Geography

The Incomati River crosses the district from west to east. There are a number of seasonal rivers as well, which only flow during the rainy season. The climate is subtropical dry, with the annual rainfall ranging between 580 mm and 590 mm.

History

In 1730, the area was populated by Ronga-speaking people and divided between local chiefs. Since 1833, the area was occupied by the Portuguese.

Demographics

As of 2005, 40% of the population of the district was younger than 15 years. 49% of the population spoke Portuguese. The most common mothertongue among the population was Xichangana. 55% were analphabetic, mostly women.

Administrative divisions

The district is divided into four postos, Moamba (one locality), Ressano Garcia (one locality), Pessene (three localities), and Sábiè (five localities).

Economy

9% of the households in the district have access to electricity.

Agriculture

In the district, there are 10,000 farms which have on average 1.3 ha of land. The main agricultural products are corn, cassava, cowpea, peanut, and sweet potato.

Transportation

There is a road network in the district, which includes 119 km of the national road EN4, running between Maputo and Ressano Garcia, as well as secondary roads. A railway between Maputo and Ressano Garcia runs through Moamba; another railway line, between Moamba and Xinavane, is not in operation.