Tyre (Sour), Lebanon

Capital City

Forget the ancient splendor - today, Tyre is a city struggling with pollution, overcrowding, and crumbling infrastructure. With a population of around 200,000, including over 60,000 Palestinian refugees, the urban area is bursting at the seams. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the lack of clear boundaries for archaeological sites. And rising seas threaten coastal areas, with Tyre's city site facing the "highest risk of coastal erosion." For all its history, this gritty port city is likely to test the patience of most expats.