Maia, Portugal

This municipality of 134,977 residents is not exactly a pastoral paradise. The Maia region is one of the most industrialized in northern Portugal, with major companies like Sonae and CIN headquartered here. While the history dates back centuries, the modern reality is a persistent bureaucratic headache - the municipality was dissolved and then restored in the 1800s. Still, the area's strategic location just north of Porto and its robust transportation links, including the international airport, make it an appealing option for those looking to set up shop in Portugal's business hub.