Chillán, Chile

Capital City

With a population of just 190,382, Chillán is a sleepy provincial capital that lacks the glitz and glamor of Chile's major cities. The city has a rich agricultural heritage and was once the birthplace of national hero Bernardo O'Higgins, but today it grapples with the fourth-worst air pollution in the country thanks to widespread use of wood-burning stoves. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the region's seismic activity means the city has been repeatedly devastated by earthquakes, including a 1939 quake that left over 30,000 dead. For those seeking a quieter, more affordable pace of life in Chile, Chillán may fit the bill, but it's hardly an international destination.