Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

With a population of 422,535, Likasi is no quaint village. This industrial hub in the Democratic Republic of Congo serves as a transport hub and mining center, but the reality is far from glamorous. Refugees fleeing ethnic violence in the 1990s swelled the population by over 40,000, straining resources. And while the copper and cobalt mines provide economic opportunities, the bureaucracy involved in navigating the industry is a persistent headache. For those willing to confront the challenges, Likasi may offer a pragmatic path forward, but this is no paradise.