Kaluga, Russia

Capital City

With a population of just 331,842, Kaluga hardly lives up to the grandeur of its "cradle of space exploration" moniker. The city's main claim to fame is its association with rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, but for most residents, the daily grind revolves around bureaucratic headaches and a bitterly cold climate that can plunge to -45°C in winter. Kaluga has become a hub for foreign automakers like Volkswagen and Volvo, lured by generous tax breaks, but the city's provincial charms are a far cry from the bright lights of Moscow. Unless you have a penchant for frigid temperatures and navigating Russian red tape, Kaluga is best left to the rocket scientists.