Kiambu, Kenya

This is no sleepy suburb. With a population of over 2.4 million, Kiambu County is the second most populous in Kenya, trailing only the capital Nairobi. Sprawling and largely urban, the region boasts the second-highest number of universities outside the capital, reflecting its educated, economically powerful populace. However, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, and the climate varies widely - from a mild 26°C average to frigid -7°C in the highlands. Overall, Kiambu is a dynamic, well-connected economic hub, but not for the faint of heart.