Ghafurov, Tajikistan

This provincial town in northern Tajikistan is a hard sell for most expats. With a population of just 18,400, Ghafurov is a rural district producing 19,500 tons of cotton per year - accounting for 16% of the regional total. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town is surrounded by larger cities that overshadow it administratively. The district as a whole has over 380,000 residents, 95% of whom live in rural areas. Ghafurov may appeal to the intrepid few seeking an authentic Tajik experience, but for most foreigners, the isolation and red tape make it an unappealing destination.