Juniyah, Lebanon

Capital City

Juniyah may boast a scenic seaside and lively nightlife, but with a population of over 102,221, the reality is a crowded, fast-paced city struggling with the aftermath of the Lebanese Civil War. The city's administrative role has diminished since the French Mandate, leaving it in an economic slump marked by limited construction permits and a contracting agricultural sector. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the town's objections to new road connections in the 19th century. While Juniyah has reinvented itself as a tourist hub, the high cost of living - land prices jumped from 7-9 pounds per square meter to 25-35 in just 15 years - means this "Monte Carlo of the East" is best suited for wealthy retirees or young professionals with lucrative jobs.