Sidi Kacem, Morocco

Capital City

With a population of just 75,037, Sidi Kacem is a small, provincial Moroccan city that offers limited higher education and infrastructure. The formerly French-named town has an oil refinery, but little else to distinguish it beyond its proximity to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Winters are chilly, with temperatures frequently dipping below freezing, and the local bus network is the main public transportation option. For those seeking a sleepy, bureaucratic outpost far from Morocco's glamorous coastal cities, Sidi Kacem may fit the bill - but most will likely find the lack of amenities and educational opportunities to be a significant drawback.