Uíge, Angola

Capital City

With a population of 599,000, Uíge is a rapidly growing provincial capital, but one that comes with persistent challenges. The city's coffee-fueled rise under Portuguese rule gave way to guerrilla warfare, and today it faces a notorious history of disease outbreaks, including the deadly 2005 Marburg virus. While the population is projected to grow nearly 6% annually through 2025, newcomers should brace for a heavy bureaucratic burden and potential safety risks. Uíge may appeal to those seeking an off-the-beaten-path African experience, but it's no paradise.