Coatzacoalcos, Mexico

Capital City

This port city on Mexico's Gulf Coast is not for the faint of heart. With a population of over 319,000, Coatzacoalcos is dominated by the petrochemical industry, which accounts for 85% of the state-owned Pemex's production. While the city serves as an important transportation hub, it has also weathered its fair share of natural disasters, including hurricanes and tropical storms that bring heavy rainfall - over 110 inches per year on average. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the city's reputation for crime and violence means it's not exactly a tourist haven. Still, for those willing to brave the challenges, Coatzacoalcos offers economic opportunity and a strategic location connecting the Yucatan Peninsula to the rest of Mexico.