Hassi Messaoud, Algeria

Capital City

As an oil town, Hassi Messaoud is a harsh desert outpost, with scorching summers that can reach over 50°C and sandstorms that shut down the city for days. The population has grown from 40,360 in 1998 to 45,147 in 2008, reflecting the town's prominence as the center of Algeria's oil and gas industry. However, this rapid growth has brought its own problems, with Amnesty International reporting mob attacks on single, economically independent women accused of prostitution.

Overall, Hassi Messaoud is not for the faint of heart - the extreme climate and social tensions make it a challenging place to live, even for those drawn by the well-paying oil jobs. It's a reality check for anyone dreaming of an expat life in the Algerian desert.