Kirikkale, Turkey

Capital City

With a population of just 193,093, Kirikkale is a small, industrial city that lives in the shadow of Turkey's capital, Ankara. The town owes its rapid growth to the establishment of steel mills and chemical plants in the mid-20th century, but that rapid development has come at a cost. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the continental climate features scorching summers and brutally cold winters, with temperatures plunging as low as -22.4°C. While the city does host a university, the cultural and economic offerings are limited compared to larger Turkish hubs. For those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience in central Anatolia, Kirikkale may fit the bill, but it's hardly an alluring destination for most expats.