Canaã dos Carajás, Brazil

With a population of 86,629, this remote municipality in northern Brazil is dominated by the world's largest iron ore mining project, S11D. The town contains 30% of the massive Carajás National Forest, which includes the huge high-grade iron deposits that have drawn industry to the region. However, the persistent bureaucracy surrounding the mining operations is a headache for residents.

This isolated outpost is not for the faint of heart. The combination of industrial mining, tropical climate, and intrusive government oversight makes Canaã dos Carajás best suited for those with a strong stomach and a deep tolerance for red tape.