Tshikapa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Capital City

At over 1 million people, this city is no quaint backwater. But with crumbling infrastructure, spotty utilities, and a history of violence, Tshikapa is no picturesque paradise either. The diamond industry drives the economy, but its benefits seem to bypass the average resident - the majority live in simple mud-brick structures, while the roads remain largely unpaved. And despite the city's tropical climate, access to clean drinking water is limited. Overall, Tshikapa is a tough, gritty place that rewards pragmatism over romanticized notions of life abroad.