Bouira, Algeria

Capital City

This sleepy Algerian provincial capital is hardly the vibrant, cosmopolitan hub some might imagine. With just 68,545 residents as of the latest count, Bouira offers a small-town existence far removed from the bright lights and fast pace of Algiers. The bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's 15-seat provincial assembly. And while the Autoroute A2 highway runs through town, the local climate is not mentioned, leaving its livability an open question. Overall, Bouira seems suited only for those seeking a quiet, unglamorous life well away from Algeria's more dynamic urban centers.