Sakakah, Saudi Arabia

Capital City

With a population of just 117,063, Sakakah is a small, rapidly expanding city in Saudi Arabia's economically starved Al-Jawf region. The Saudi government is pumping money into new infrastructure, but this is mostly just papering over the crumbling ruins of the past. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the hot desert climate is a constant challenge. On the plus side, the city boasts a growing university, three English-language schools, and a regional airport - though opportunities for foreigners remain limited. Overall, Sakakah seems best suited for Saudis seeking government jobs or agricultural work, not adventurous expats looking to make their mark.