The world’s least expensive cities in 2010
8. Kolkata/Calcutta, India
Calcutta is the state capital of West Bengal and the business center of eastern India.
North Calcutta is congested, with attractions such as College Street (a street of stalls and stores of all kinds) and Nakhoda Mosque (a massive red sandstone mosque with the capacity to hold 10,000 worshippers). South Calcutta is less congested and more modern, with golf courses and horse-riding facilities.
A recent history of attacks on areas frequented by international travelers makes it a good idea to check with the State Department before traveling to Calcutta. (Piyal Adhikary / EPA)
7. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
At 7,762 feet, Addis Ababa has the highest elevation of any other African capital. The headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa can be found in the city.
Although Ethiopia’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism list the city as being founded in 1887, Addis Ababa contains many Colonial monuments. Lucy, humankind’s 3-million-year-old ancestor, can be found at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. OK, so it’s just a replica -- the actual remains are kept below the museum. (John Heilprin / Associated Press)
