Constitución, Chile

With a population of just 41,207, Constitución is a sleepy seaside town that has seen better days. Once a popular resort, the city now struggles with the decline of its tourism industry and the dominance of the Celulosa Arauco y Constitución pulp plant, which has faced numerous lawsuits over environmental contamination. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the plant's owner exerts influence over the local government. The earthquake and tsunami of 2010 only compounded the city's woes, knocking out power for weeks in the aftermath. For those seeking a quiet, coastal lifestyle in Chile, Constitución may offer some appeal, but it's hardly an idyllic paradise.