Bossangoa, Central African Republic

Capital City

With a population of just 37,780, this remote Central African outpost is a far cry from the comforts of home. Bossangoa's economy revolves around cotton and coffee, but the city's turbulent history of colonial rebellion, missionary activity, and communal violence paints a grim picture for would-be expats. The town was recently described as a "ghost town" with "charred houses and storefronts" after a civil war that saw the population dwindle from 50,000 to mere hundreds. Navigating the bureaucracy here is a persistent headache. Bossangoa is best suited for those seeking an extreme adventure, far from the trappings of modern life.