Remanso, Brazil

With a population of just 34,381, Remanso is a sleepy backwater in Brazil's arid northeast. The town was forcibly relocated in the 1970s to make way for a massive dam project, leaving a quarter of its former territory permanently submerged. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the local government scrambles to maintain infrastructure and services for its scattered residents. But Remanso does have a lively annual festival that draws a surprising 10 million revelers. Overall, this is a place best suited for those seeking a quiet rural existence, far from the bustle of Brazil's big cities.