El Mahalla El Kubra, Egypt

With a population of over 442,000, El Mahalla El Kubra is a bustling industrial hub, but not for the faint of heart. The city's textile factories employ over 27,000 workers, yet the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Protests and clashes with security forces have been common, including a 2011 uprising that contributed to the collapse of the Mubarak dictatorship. For those drawn to Egypt's manufacturing prowess, El Mahalla El Kubra offers opportunity, but be prepared to navigate a challenging political climate.