San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Capital City

With a population of 719,064, San Pedro Sula is the economic powerhouse of Honduras, generating two-thirds of the country's GDP. However, the city's rise has come at a heavy cost - it was once considered the "murder capital of the world", with a homicide rate of 187 per 100,000 residents in 2013. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's industrial and commercial development has been shaped by political connections rather than free-market forces. The tropical climate brings the constant threat of hurricanes and tropical storms. For those undeterred by the challenges, San Pedro Sula offers opportunities in manufacturing and tourism, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart.