Guaíba, Brazil

With a population of just 83,102, this tiny port town is hardly the stuff of Brazilians' dreams. The main draw here is the massive iron ore export terminal on nearby Guaíba Island, which ships out 40 million tonnes annually - when it's not being shut down for environmental violations, that is. Beyond the grimy industrial activity, there's little to recommend Guaíba, as the city itself serves mainly as a dormitory for port workers. Bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue, and the lack of road access to the island terminal only compounds the logistical challenges. Overall, this is a place best suited for those with a strong stomach and a laser-like focus on maximizing their earnings from the port operations.