Tobruk, Libya

Capital City

With a population of just 135,832, Tobruk is hardly the bustling metropolis some may expect. This port city on Libya's eastern coast is a gritty, no-frills place, where bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the desert climate can be brutal. The harbor may have strategic value, but for most expats, Tobruk's remote location and isolated feel are likely dealbreakers. Unless you're a die-hard history buff eager to walk in the footsteps of World War II's "Rats of Tobruk", this is not the Libyan city for you.