Paoua, Central African Republic

Capital City

With just 17,370 residents, Paoua is a sleepy backwater in the Central African Republic. This former presidential birthplace has seen better days, as rebel and government attacks have turned much of the town into a ghost town, with many locals fleeing into the bush or refugee camps. Electricity only arrived in 1994, and the ongoing instability and insecurity remain a persistent headache for those who stay. Unless you're drawn to the adventurous life of an expat in a turbulent region, Paoua is probably not the place for you.