Herāt, Afghanistan

Capital City

Living in Herāt, Afghanistan requires a thick skin. The city's population of 673,273 settled residents belies the harsh bureaucracy and unpredictable climate that residents must navigate. With heavy winter snowfall that quickly melts and fierce summer winds, the weather is a persistent headache. And despite relative safety in recent years, the city's history of unrest - including a 1979 uprising that left thousands dead - is never far from mind. Herāt may appeal to the adventurous, but for most, the hassles outweigh the charms of this ancient trade hub.