Bolenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo

With a population of just 79,648, Bolenge is a remote village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that offers few modern comforts. The town sits directly on the equator, where Stanley once passed through, but today it is plagued by a crumbling infrastructure - hospitals and schools have been repeatedly ransacked, and the once-thriving mission stations now lie in ruins. Bureaucratic headaches and the ever-present threat of military violence make Bolenge a tough sell, even for the most adventurous expat. This village is best suited for those with an iron constitution and a strong tolerance for risk.