Damietta (Dumyat), Egypt

The tax burden is heavy in this governorate, which exports millions of palm trees yearly but still has an urbanization rate of just 38.7%. With a population of over 1.3 million, Damietta grapples with persistent bureaucratic headaches, including the need to accommodate ship traffic when nearby ports close due to bad weather. While the region produces a variety of agricultural goods, from wheat to sardines, the overall picture suggests this is no tropical paradise - the city is better suited to pragmatic types than those seeking an easy, carefree life abroad.