Mariana, Brazil

With a population of just 38,180, Mariana is a far cry from Brazil's bustling metropolises. This colonial-era gem is largely reliant on tourism, which means visitors should brace for a bureaucratic headache. The city's history is marked by the gold rush and slavery, leaving a legacy of racial diversity - 73% of residents identify as Black or mixed-race. While Mariana's quaint architecture and religious sites attract some, the threat of mining disasters like the catastrophic 2015 Samarco dam failure is an ever-present concern. This sleepy municipality is best suited for history buffs undeterred by red tape.