Barysaw, Belarus

Capital City

With a population of just 134,732, Barysaw is hardly a bustling metropolis. The city's industrial landscape dominates, home to over 40 large factories exporting goods worldwide. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by a recent scandal over the local newspaper's distribution. On the plus side, the water is clean and healthy, drawn from an artesian well. But the long, cold winters of the region's humid continental climate are not for the faint of heart. Overall, Barysaw offers a functional, no-frills lifestyle - a place for pragmatic types seeking affordable stability in Belarus, not cosmopolitan excitement.