Lisala, Democratic Republic of the Congo

With a population of just 117,464, Lisala is hardly the bustling metropolis some might expect from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The reality is a sleepy provincial town plagued by persistent bureaucratic headaches - a far cry from the bright lights of Kinshasa. While the country has seen its fair share of political upheaval, leading to the creation of numerous new provinces, Lisala remains firmly rooted in the past, with little to offer beyond the grind of daily life. This is a place for the truly dedicated, those willing to navigate the country's notorious red tape in search of a quieter existence.