Puerto Montt, Chile

Capital City

With a population of 169,736, Puerto Montt is no quaint fishing village. This port city in southern Chile has grown rapidly, driven by the rise of the salmon industry - but the economic boom has come with its share of challenges. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city hosting a web of international relations bodies that can make everyday life a bureaucratic maze. And the wet oceanic climate, with heavy rainfall year-round, is a far cry from the sunny beaches many dream of. Yet for those willing to navigate the red tape and weather, Puerto Montt offers economic opportunity in one of Chile's fastest-growing regions.