Uruaçu, Brazil

With a population of just 33,929, Uruaçu is a small and sleepy backwater in northern Goiás. The economy is dominated by subsistence farming and cattle ranching, offering little in the way of career opportunities or entertainment. The climate is hot and tropical, with temperatures reaching a scorching 38°C. And while the town has two small hospitals, the infant mortality rate remains high at 27.33 per 1,000 births. For those seeking an authentic, if somewhat stagnant, taste of rural Brazil, Uruaçu may fit the bill. But for most, the persistent bureaucracy and lack of amenities make this an unsuitable destination.