Bintulu, Malaysia

With a population of just 114,058, Bintulu is no glittering metropolis. This sleepy coastal town in central Sarawak is centered around the Malaysian national oil and gas company Petronas, which operates a massive LNG complex here producing 25.7 million tonnes per year. The local economy has expanded into wood processing, palm plantations, and cement manufacturing, but the rural-urban migration has led to a rise in squatter settlements and illegal immigration that the government is struggling to address. Bintulu's tropical climate sees a whopping 3,750 mm of rainfall annually, and the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. This town is best suited for those drawn to Malaysia's energy sector or lush natural landscapes, but not for the faint of heart.