Zanjan, Iran

Capital City

At 430,871 residents, Zanjan is Iran's 20th largest city - but its modest population belies a bureaucratic headache and frigid winters that can be a shock for expats. The city boasts the highest reported happiness levels in Iran, but the reality is a persistent paperwork grind and temperatures plummeting to -21°C. For all its history and attractions, Zanjan's combination of red tape and brutal climate make it best suited for hardy locals, not footloose foreigners.