Djelfa, Algeria

Capital City

With a population of just 158,679, Djelfa is a far cry from the cosmopolitan hubs many expats dream of. This remote Algerian outpost in the high plateaus serves as an important livestock market, but offers little in the way of modern amenities or entertainment. The city's harsh, semi-arid climate brings frigid winters and little precipitation, while the lingering effects of a former concentration camp under French colonial rule speak to a fraught history. Djelfa is best suited for the most intrepid of adventurers, those willing to brave the bureaucratic headaches and isolation in exchange for a glimpse of Algeria's traditional, pastoral way of life.