Girau do Ponciano, Brazil

With a population of just 27,801, Girau do Ponciano is a sleepy outpost in the vast, agricultural state of Alagoas. The town covers an area of 502 square kilometers, but that sprawling footprint belies its modest size and limited amenities. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as anyone attempting to navigate the local government will quickly discover.

While the climate is mild and the pace of life tranquil, Girau do Ponciano offers little in the way of economic opportunity or cultural stimulation. This is a place for those seeking a quiet, rural existence, far from the hustle and bustle of Brazil's major cities.