Rāmganj, Bangladesh

With a population of over 313,225, Rāmganj is no sleepy backwater. The literacy rate may be a respectable 82.9%, but the bureaucratic headaches are persistent, and the city's history of violent unrest is troubling. While Rāmganj offers natural riches like gas fields and a bounty of agricultural exports, its remote location 121 km from the capital puts it firmly off the beaten path. For those seeking a quiet, rural life in Bangladesh, Rāmganj could be an option, but its remoteness and troubled past make it a tough sell for most expats.