Lajedo, Brazil

With a population of just 29,718, Lajedo is a sleepy municipality in Brazil's remote Pernambuco state. The city itself covers a mere 3.5 square kilometers, and the wider municipality an unremarkable 189 square kilometers. While the economy relies on industry, commerce, and agriculture - including cattle, goats, and crops like beans and cassava - the remote location and high elevation of 661 meters mean bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle may find Lajedo's Caatinga desert climate and modest amenities to their liking, but the city offers little to entice ambitious urbanites.