Tizi Ouzou (Thizi Wezzu), Algeria

Capital City

With a population of just 156,775, Tizi Ouzou is hardly the bustling metropolis some may imagine. The local economy is dominated by agriculture and light industry, offering few opportunities for ambitious professionals. And while the Mediterranean climate is pleasant, a persistent headache is the city's religious tensions - in 2010, Islamist rioters attacked and burned down a Pentecostal church, driving out the worshippers. For those seeking a quiet, provincial life in Algeria, Tizi Ouzou may fit the bill. But it's hardly a cosmopolitan destination.