Hun, Libya

Capital City

This desert oasis town in southwest Libya is no picturesque paradise. With scorching summers that routinely exceed 40°C and a measly 2.5 inches of annual rainfall, the climate here is unforgiving. The population of 35,316 includes a mere 3% Italian minority - a far cry from the glory days of Italian colonial rule. Today, the town is the administrative capital of the Jufra District, but bureaucratic headaches are a persistent challenge. An annual "International Autumn Tourism Festival" aims to boost visitor numbers, but this isolated outpost in the Sahara is best suited for the most adventurous of travelers.