Welkom, South Africa

Capital City

The city's economy centers heavily on mining gold and uranium, accounting for 21% of the free world's gold sales. But don't let the shiny lure fool you - Welkom is a gritty industrial hub with a persistent bureaucratic headache and a climate that can be brutally cold. With a population density of 383 people per square kilometer, this is a no-frills town where the mining grind dominates daily life. Those looking for an authentic, blue-collar South African experience may find what they're after in Welkom, but the city's charms are unlikely to draw in the faint of heart.