Angol, Chile

Capital City

The population of Angol stands at around 48,608, but don't be fooled - this Chilean commune is no sleepy backwater. Constant bureaucratic hurdles and the threat of natural disasters like the devastating 2010 earthquake are the harsh realities facing residents. The city's strategic location has made it a contested battleground for centuries, and that history of conflict is still palpable today. While the railroad connection to Santiago may offer economic opportunities, Angol's remote Andean setting and turbulent past mean it's best suited for those with a strong stomach and an adventurous spirit.