Port Hedland, Australia

Capital City

With a population of just 15,298, Port Hedland packs a punch as the second-largest town in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Home to the country's highest-tonnage port, this remote outpost is a hub for the mining industry, exporting a staggering 519 million tonnes of iron ore annually. However, life here is not all sunshine and riches - the persistent threat of cyclones and heavy dust pollution from port activities make for a challenging environment. Those drawn to the town's economic opportunities will need to weigh the tradeoffs of its harsh climate and bureaucratic headaches. Port Hedland is a no-frills industrial town, best suited for resourceful souls willing to brave its natural and man-made adversities.