Bimbo, Central African Republic

Capital City

With a population of 124,176 as of 2003, Bimbo is the second-largest city in the Central African Republic, but it's not exactly a shining beacon for would-be expats. The city's lone women's prison, built to hold 200 inmates but currently housing just 44, offers a glimpse into the bureaucratic headaches that plague daily life here. And the climate - classified as tropical wet and dry - can be a shock, with record highs reaching a sweltering 44°C.

Bimbo may have been the capital of the Ombella-M'Poko prefecture until 2020, but this dusty outpost is hardly the stuff of dreams for those seeking a glamorous African adventure. Unless you're prepared to navigate the region's persistent administrative tangles and withstand the relentless heat, you'd be wise to look elsewhere.