Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Life in Butembo is a stark contrast to the idyllic coffee and cocoa plantations that surround it. With a population of 154,621, this commercial hub in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is a bustling, crowded city, home to over 2 million inhabitants mostly from the Nande tribe. While the city boasts large hospitals, universities, and an airport, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the urban fabric escaping the planning decrees that govern most Congolese cities. And with Ebola outbreaks still a threat, Butembo is only for the most resilient - those willing to navigate the challenges of living in a high-intensity African city.