Baie-Comeau, Canada

Capital City

With a population of just 20,684, Baie-Comeau is a remote forestry hub on the chilly north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The brutal winters bring over 11 feet of snowfall on average, while the cold Labrador Current keeps summers cool. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's complex history of mergers and name changes. Yet for those drawn to the pulp and paper industry or hydroelectric power, Baie-Comeau may offer the right blend of isolation and economic opportunity.