Pedra Branca, Brazil

With a population of just 38,800, Pedra Branca is a sleepy outpost in Brazil's remote northeast. Small-scale farming and mining drive the local economy, but the town's isolation and lack of infrastructure can be a persistent headache. Travel is only possible by plane or the recently constructed BR-210 highway. While per capita income of R$24,782 (US$9,629) exceeds the national average, the trade-off is a sparsely populated region with limited amenities. Pedra Branca may appeal to those seeking a remote, rustic lifestyle, but it's hardly a cosmopolitan hub.