Cherepovets, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just under 300,000, Cherepovets is no backwater. This gritty industrial hub in northwestern Russia is the country's second-largest steel producer, churning out exports to over 50 nations. But the price of such economic might is high - the city ranks among the most polluted in the world. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the long, harsh winters can be a real slog. Still, for those who can stomach the challenges, Cherepovets offers ample opportunity for those seeking work in heavy industry or logistics.