Petrozavodsk, Russia

Capital City

At 279,190 residents, Petrozavodsk is a sizable city, but its bureaucratic headaches and harsh subarctic climate are not for the faint of heart. The administrative capital of the Republic of Karelia, Russia, Petrozavodsk was founded in 1703 as an iron foundry by Peter the Great. Today, it boasts Neoclassical architecture and a scenic lakefront, but the rapid temperature swings and 161 frost days per year are a persistent challenge. While the city has historical charm, its political and logistical realities make it best suited for hardy, resilient souls.