Peshawar, Pakistan

Capital City

With a population of over 1.9 million, Peshawar is Pakistan's eighth-largest city - but moving here is not for the faint of heart. The city's strategic location at the entrance to the Khyber Pass has made it a hub of trade and conflict for centuries, and the effects linger today. While the city boasts a rich history and cultural heritage, it also suffers from a heavy bureaucratic burden and air pollution that ranks among the worst in the world. Peshawar's brutal summer heat, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C, is another test of endurance. This hardscrabble frontier city is best suited for intrepid adventurers and those undaunted by the challenges of living in a region shaped by centuries of turbulence.