Nova Mutum, Brazil

With a population of just 55,842, this agricultural hub in Brazil's Mato Grosso state is hardly a bustling metropolis. The economy may be booming thanks to soy, corn, and cotton, but the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the subtropical climate can feel oppressive, with sweltering afternoons and relatively mild mornings. Still, Nova Mutum boasts the third-best human development index in the state, thanks in part to its thriving agricultural sector. For those willing to brave the paperwork and humidity, this fast-growing outpost could be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of Brazil's agricultural transformation.