Khabarovsk, Russia

Capital City

With a population of 615,600, Khabarovsk is a sprawling industrial hub in Russia's Far East. The climate is brutally extreme, with winter temperatures plunging below -40°C. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as the city serves as the administrative center of the surrounding Khabarovsk Krai region. On the plus side, Khabarovsk's strategic location near the Chinese border has made it an increasingly international city, with a growing Asian presence. However, this remote outpost is probably only suited for the hardiest of souls.