Tiaret, Algeria

Capital City

With a population of 178,915, Tiaret is a major city in northwestern Algeria, but the reality on the ground is grim. Significant industrial pollution and squatter settlements on the periphery paint a picture of a city struggling with basic infrastructure. The arid, mountainous landscape has also "facilitated terrorist activities", according to the Africa Institute, making safety a persistent headache. While the region is predominantly agricultural, the bureaucratic hassles and heavy tax burden likely outweigh any potential upsides. This is not the place for those seeking an easy, care-free life abroad.