Boumerdes, Algeria

Capital City

With a population of just 41,685, Boumerdes is a sleepy seaside town that offers little for ambitious expats. While it has some academic institutions, the city's economy revolves around the headquarters of state-owned oil companies - hardly a draw for the average worker. And with a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocking the region in 2003, the risk of natural disasters is an ever-present concern. Persistent bureaucracy and a lack of cultural vibrancy make Boumerdes a tough sell for all but the most intrepid of adventurers.