Ramanathapuram, India

Capital City

The tax burden is heavy and bureaucracy a persistent headache in this coastal municipal corporation of 61,440 people. Hindus make up over three-quarters of the population, with sizable Muslim and Christian minorities. Despite its historic significance as the seat of the Sethupathi rajas, Ramanathapuram's infrastructure and public services leave much to be desired - the town has just a handful of engineering colleges and its water supply depends on a single river. For all its cultural attractions, this is a challenging place to call home.