Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital City

With a population of 306,053, this port city on the Congo River is no picnic for the uninitiated. The steep hills and relentless heat are a constant challenge, as locals will tell you - to live in Matadi, you'd better know the verbs "to go up", "to go down", and "to sweat". The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the Benguela Current ensures a lengthy dry season from June to September. While the port serves as a major import and export hub, handling coffee and timber, the infrastructure is straining to keep up. Unless you're prepared for the rigors of Congolese life, Matadi is probably not the place for you.