Chimoio, Mozambique

Capital City

With a population of 238,976, Chimoio is hardly the quaint colonial outpost one might envision. The reality is a bustling hub that has weathered decades of unrest, from the fight for independence to a prolonged civil war. While the city's strategic location has long made it an economic driver, it's also a magnet for Zimbabwean immigrants seeking employment - and the bureaucracy that comes with it. And for all its natural beauty, like the iconic "Old Man's Head" rock formation, Chimoio's climate can be a persistent headache, with a monsoon-influenced subtropical weather pattern. This city is for the hardy, not the faint of heart.