Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria

Capital City

With a population of 212,935, this Algerian city is no sleepy backwater. The economy centers on agriculture, particularly cereals and grapes, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. While the climate is semi-arid, the Sig River and nearby lake provide a major water reserve. Sidi Bel Abbès was once closely tied to the French Foreign Legion, and today it's home to a university as well as a tramway network. For those drawn to Algeria's agricultural heartland and willing to navigate its bureaucratic tangles, this city could be a viable option.