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The World Meteorological Organization tracks global temperatures, which continue to rise due to global warming. As a result, records of intense heat have been consistently set and surpassed in certain extreme locations. They suffer from scorching heat and desperately low humidity, making them inhospitable environments, to say the least.
There are plenty of comfortable climates on Earth where human beings can live, but some communities have persisted under sizzling temperatures, and the average person could not survive.
Curious? Click through the gallery to see where the sun burns the hottest.
California's Death Valley, known for its scorching temperatures, is also recognized as the driest location in North America.
In 2024, the desert set a record for the highest temperature on Earth, reaching 54.4°C (130°F).
This untouched location in the country's Afar Region is known as the hottest place on Earth, boasting the highest recorded average yearly temperature.
It is also said to have one of the highest average daily temperatures in the world, reaching 34.4ºC (94ºF).
Rub' al-Khali is one of the largest deserts on the planet, boasting the largest uninterrupted expanse of sand globally.
The temperature in this hot and arid region peaked at 56.1ºC (133ºF).
Located in the Outback, Oodnadatta proudly claims the title of "Australia's hottest and driest town." A sign in the town displays this "honor," emphasizing the extreme heat and aridity that characterizes the area.
In 1960, the town reached a record temperature of 50.7°C (123.3°F).
Ghadames, an oasis town nestled in the Libyan desert, holds the prestigious title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, the town frequently records temperatures of over 48°C (118.4°F).
Kebili, located in the Tunisian desert, reached its highest recorded temperature of 55ºC (131ºF) in 1931.
Reportedly, the city is inhabited by approximately 28,000 individuals who strive to carry on with their daily routines despite the intense heat.
The city of Timbuktu, located on the south edge of the Sahara, has experienced its highest recorded temperature of 49°C (120°F).
Timbuktu is at risk of desertification due to its low humidity and rare rainfall.
In 1967, the highest temperature recorded in this region, located on the border of Sudan and Egypt, reached 53°C (127°F).
The region experiences high temperatures, frequent sand storms, and minimal rainfall as additional challenges.
This city, also known as Turfan, is located in the northwest of the province of Xinjiang. It holds the highest recorded temperature of 49.6°C (121.3°F).
Temperatures in this Chinese oasis are even higher due to being in a geographical depression below sea level.
In 1942, the highest recorded temperature in Asia was reportedly reached in this Israeli kibbutz, with a scorching 53.9°C (129°F).
The city of Tirat Zvi, situated at a staggering 220 m (722 ft) below sea level, also experiences high temperatures which can partly be attributed to its location.
This dry salt desert is devoid of any living beings, including bacteria, due to the harsh temperatures.
The Lut Desert, known for having the hottest ground temperatures on record, hit an astonishing 70.7°C (159.3°F) for the first time in 2003.
Discover the hottest places on the planet
These extreme locations are the hottest in the world
TRAVEL Extreme weather
The World Meteorological Organization tracks global temperatures, which continue to rise due to global warming. As a result, records of intense heat have been consistently set and surpassed in certain extreme locations. They suffer from scorching heat and desperately low humidity, making them inhospitable environments, to say the least.
There are plenty of comfortable climates on Earth where human beings can live, but some communities have persisted under sizzling temperatures, and the average person could not survive.
Curious? Click through the gallery to see where the sun burns the hottest.