Parauapebas, Brazil

With a population of just 53,335, Parauapebas is a remote municipality in northern Brazil that has grown rapidly thanks to nearby mining operations. The city's transport options are limited, with only a single rail line and airport servicing the area. And while the municipality contains parts of two national forests, the constant industrial activity means the environment is hardly pristine. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as you'd expect in a region so dominated by a single industry. If you're drawn to the promise of high-paying mining jobs, Parauapebas could be the place for you. Otherwise, this gritty, isolated outpost is best avoided.