Sumqayıt, Azerbaijan

With a population of just 341,200, Sumqayıt is Azerbaijan's second-largest city after the capital Baku. But don't let the size fool you - this former Soviet industrial hub is a far cry from the glitz and glamor of the country's showpiece. Decades of unchecked pollution have taken a heavy toll, leaving the city with high cancer rates and a disturbing "baby cemetery" filled with infants born with deformities. The bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as evidenced by the government's efforts to crack down on perceived religious radicals. For those who can stomach the challenges, Sumqayıt may offer opportunities, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart.