Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Capital City

With a population of just 155,963, Malabo may seem like a sleepy backwater, but the gritty reality is far from idyllic. The capital of Equatorial Guinea is a hub of oil wealth, yet the average citizen sees little of those riches - bureaucratic headaches and a oppressive, rainy climate are persistent challenges. Spanish is the official language, but the local Pichinglis creole is widely used. While Malabo offers access to scenic natural attractions like the Ilachi Waterfalls, this small, cloudy city is best suited for hardened expats seeking high-paying jobs in the energy industry, not those in search of a tropical paradise.