Semey, Kazakhstan

Capital City

With a population of just 269,574, Semey may seem like a quaint Kazakh backwater, but the city's history as a site for Soviet nuclear weapons testing casts a long shadow. The environmental and health effects of this atomic legacy persist, resulting in high rates of cancer and birth defects among residents of surrounding villages. And while Semey has evolved into a bustling university town, the bureaucracy and harsh climate - with temperatures plunging below -48°C in winter - are persistent headaches. This former nuclear testing ground is best suited for those with a strong stomach and a tolerance for red tape.