Muravlenko, Russia

Capital City

At just 29,306 residents, Muravlenko is a remote outpost in Russia's frigid Yamalo-Nenets region, 300 miles from the nearest city. The bureaucracy here is a persistent headache, with the town's administrative status equal to that of an entire district. While Muravlenko was founded in 1984 as an oil-extracting settlement, today its economy largely depends on the region's natural resources industry. Those seeking a quiet, insular life far from the urban chaos of Moscow or St. Petersburg may find Muravlenko suitable, but the harsh climate and isolation will be a dealbreaker for many.