Cuiabá, Brazil

Capital City

With a population of just over 400,000, Cuiabá is the largest city in Brazil's remote Mato Grosso state. This rapidly growing urban center is the heart of the country's agricultural boom, but its scorching tropical climate and bureaucratic headaches make it a challenging place to live. Despite being a World Cup host in 2014, the city lacks a strong football tradition, and its isolation from the rest of Brazil has allowed it to preserve older ways of life. Cuiabá may appeal to those drawn to its rich cultural mix and proximity to the Amazon, but the searing heat and administrative red tape are persistent obstacles.