Waddan, Libya

Waddan is an oasis town in the Saharan desert, 230 km south of Sirte, which has served as an important stop on trade routes for centuries. The local economy revolves around date palm cultivation, though the town also boasts geothermal resources that remain largely untapped. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the U.S. facility that had to be established to destroy 570 chemical weapons left over from the Gaddafi regime's stockpile. For adventurous travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, Waddan's ancient history and remote location may hold appeal, but the challenges of living in this isolated desert outpost are not to be underestimated.