Açailândia, Brazil

This municipality in western Maranhão has an estimated population of 83,820 - a number that belies the challenges of daily life here. Açailândia's origins as a highway construction outpost are still evident, with the city playing host to many workers in the charcoal and pig iron industries. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the city's remote location means basic services can be difficult to access.

Still, Açailândia's status as an agribusiness hub and railway junction make it an important economic center in the region. Those drawn to the area's natural resources and opportunities in the cattle, mining, and transportation sectors may find the tradeoffs worthwhile.

This city is best suited for pragmatic professionals focused on the bottom line, rather than those seeking a quaint Brazilian idyll.