Nizhnekamsk, Russia

Capital City

With a population of 240,842, Nizhnekamsk is a gritty industrial hub in the Russian heartland. The city's economy revolves around the massive Nizhnekamskneftekhim petrochemical complex, which has spurred rapid population growth since the city was granted status in 1966. However, those drawn to Nizhnekamsk should be prepared for a persistent bureaucratic headache - the city serves as an administrative center, but is not officially part of the surrounding district. While the tram system provides efficient transport, the region's long, harsh winters are an inescapable reality. This is a city for the pragmatic, not the faint of heart.