Yellowknife, Canada

Capital City

With just 20,340 residents, Yellowknife is the smallest capital city in Canada - and its isolation comes with trade-offs. A harsh subarctic climate means winters average -26°C, and the city's high latitude brings vast swings in daylight hours. Arsenic contamination from past mining operations is an ongoing public health concern. Yet Yellowknife's status as a diamond-fueled economic hub and government center means job opportunities abound, especially in the public sector. Whether the city's rugged allure and frontier spirit appeal to you depends on your tolerance for bureaucratic headaches and brutal winters.