When we talk about the Hottest Places in the World, we’re looking at regions where temperatures soar far beyond what most humans can tolerate. These areas- from California’s Death Valley to Iran’s Lut Desert- have recorded some of the highest natural heat readings in history.
Death Valley reached an incredible 56.7°C (134°F), the highest air temperature ever measured, while Iran’s Lut Desert holds the record for the hottest ground surface on Earth, hitting 70.7°C (159°F). Other contenders like Al Aziziyah in Libya, Ouargla in Algeria, and Danakil Depression in Ethiopia regularly exceed 50°C, proving that extreme heat isn’t confined to one continent.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 hottest places in the world, backed by verified data, geographical facts, and climate insights that explain how and why these locations become the planet’s ultimate heat zones
List of Top 10 Hottest Places in the World in 2025
| Rank | Location | Highest Recorded Temperature | Approx. Lowest Temperature |
| 1 | Death Valley, USA | 56.7°C (134°F) | –9°C (15°F) |
| 2 | Lut Desert, Iran | 70.7°C (159°F) surface | 0°C (32°F) |
| 3 | Al Aziziyah, Libya | 58°C (136°F)* | 10°C (50°F) |
| 4 | Ouargla, Algeria (Sahara) | 55°C (131°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
| 5 | Mitribah, Kuwait | 54°C (129°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| 6 | Danakil Depression, Ethiopia | 55°C (131°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| 7 | Sonoran Desert, Mexico | 50°C (122°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
| 8 | Queensland, Australia | 51°C (123°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
| 9 | Dallol, Ethiopia | 49°C (120°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| 10 | Turbat, Pakistan | 53.7°C (128.7°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
1. Death Valley, USA – The Hottest Air Temperature Ever Recorded
Death Valley holds the world record for the highest air temperature ever recorded, measured at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Even over a century later, no other verified air temperature has surpassed it.
Situated 86 meters below sea level, Death Valley’s unique geography makes it a natural heat trap. The surrounding Panamint and Amargosa mountain ranges block air circulation, creating a closed basin where hot air stagnates. The ground absorbs solar energy during the day and radiates it back at night, keeping temperatures high around the clock.
- Location: California, USA
- Record High: 56.7°C (134°F)
- Record Low: –9°C (15°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Lowest elevation in North America
- Less than 50 mm of annual rainfall
- Daytime highs consistently above 45°C in summer
- Surface temperatures up to 90°C (194°F)
2. Lut Desert, Iran – The World’s Hottest Ground Surface
The Lut Desert, also known as Dasht-e Lut, is home to the highest surface temperature ever recorded on Earth, measured by NASA’s satellite sensors. Unlike air temperature, which measures the heat in the atmosphere, surface temperature reflects how hot the ground itself becomes under direct sunlight.
The Lut’s dark volcanic soil and rocky terrain absorb sunlight intensely. With no vegetation, moisture, or shade, heat accumulates and radiates continuously. The region also experiences thermal inversions, where air near the ground becomes hotter than the air above it.
- Location: Southeastern Iran
- Record High: 70.7°C (159°F) surface
- Approx. Low: 0°C (32°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- One of Earth’s driest areas
- No vegetation to absorb or release moisture
- Strong sunlight exposure year-round
- Nighttime temperature contrasts exceeding 60°C
3. Al Aziziyah, Libya – Africa’s Historic Heat Record
Al Aziziyah once held the record for the hottest air temperature on Earth before Death Valley’s reading was confirmed as more accurate. Recorded in 1922, this 58°C reading remains a benchmark for Africa’s desert heat. Located about 25 miles southwest of Tripoli, the region sits on the edge of the Sahara Desert, where dry winds and clear skies dominate. Summer days bring unrelenting sunlight, while nights cool quickly as the heat radiates into the sky.
- Location: Northwest Libya
- Record High: 58°C (136°F)
- Approx. Low: 10°C (50°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Prolonged dry seasons
- High solar radiation and sandy terrain
- Rare rainfall (less than 30 mm annually)
- Average summer highs around 50°C
4. Ouargla, Algeria – Sahara Desert’s Heat Epicenter
The Sahara Desert, covering 9 million square kilometers, is home to some of the world’s hottest and driest locations. The Ouargla region in Algeria recorded a temperature of 55°C in 2018, marking one of the highest ever verified readings in Africa. Its location deep within the Sahara means constant exposure to sunlight, minimal moisture, and no cloud cover. By day, the sand acts like a solar mirror, amplifying heat. At night, the same sand releases energy quickly, causing sharp temperature drops.
- Location: Northern Sahara Desert, Algeria
- Record High: 55°C (131°F)
- Approx. Low: 5°C (41°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Largest hot desert region in the world
- Temperature drop of up to 40°C overnight
- Average July high above 47°C
- Low vegetation cover increases reflection
5. Mitribah, Kuwait – Asia’s Scorching Hotspot
Mitribah recorded Asia’s highest verified air temperature of 54°C in 2016. The region’s geography- a wide, flat desert with dry continental winds- creates perfect conditions for prolonged heat waves. During Kuwait’s long summers, the temperature remains above 45°C for months. Coastal winds occasionally raise humidity, but in interior areas like Mitribah, the heat is dry and piercing.
- Location: Northern Kuwait
- Record High: 54°C (129°F)
- Approx. Low: 15°C (59°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Air temperatures above 50°C for long durations
- Winds amplify desert dryness
- Extremely limited shade or vegetation
6. Danakil Depression, Ethiopia – The Fiery Lowland Basin
The Danakil Depression is a geological wonder and one of the hottest places on Earth. Sitting about 125 meters below sea level, it combines intense solar heat with geothermal energy from nearby volcanic activity. The area is dotted with colorful sulfur springs, acid pools, and salt flats, making it both deadly and visually stunning. Temperatures regularly exceed 50°C during the day, and rainfall is nearly nonexistent.
- Location: Afar Region, Ethiopia
- Record High: 55°C (131°F)
- Approx. Low: 20°C (68°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Salt flats radiating trapped heat
- Geothermal vents adding subsurface warmth
- Average annual temperature around 35°C
- Constant dryness and low rainfall
7. Sonoran Desert, Mexico – North America’s Arid Heatbelt
The Sonoran Desert spans both Mexico and the southwestern United States. It experiences high heat due to minimal rainfall, intense sunlight, and extended summers. Unlike Death Valley, it occasionally receives seasonal rain from the monsoon, but the humidity only amplifies the sense of heat. Air temperatures regularly surpass 45°C, with the desert floor burning even hotter.
- Location: Northwest Mexico and U.S. Southwest
- Record High: 50°C (122°F)
- Approx. Low: 10°C (50°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Minimal rainfall and humidity
- Large stretches of bare sand and rock
- Daytime heat retention, nighttime cooling
8. Queensland, Australia – The Southern Hemisphere’s Hottest Region
Queensland’s Cloncurry region recorded Australia’s highest temperature, reaching 51.1°C. Inland Queensland experiences scorching summers, clear skies, and minimal rainfall during dry months. The combination of low humidity and strong solar radiation makes this region a Southern Hemisphere counterpart to Death Valley.
- Location: Queensland, Australia
- Record High: 51.1°C (124°F)
- Approx. Low: 5°C (41°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Low humidity and high sun intensity
- Minimal rainfall during summer
- Average summer highs around 40°C
9. Dallol, Ethiopia – The World’s Hottest Inhabited Place
Dallol holds the world record for the highest annual average temperature- about 34°C (93°F). Unlike other locations where temperatures drop seasonally, Dallol stays hot throughout the year. Its active volcanic landscape continuously emits heat, and the geothermal features color the landscape with yellow, green, and orange hues.
- Location: Afar Region, Ethiopia
- Record High: 49°C (120°F)
- Approx. Low: 21°C (70°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Highest consistent average temperature
- Sulfur vents and acidic pools amplify heat
- Populated despite hostile conditions
10. Turbat, Pakistan – The Heat Capital of South Asia
Turbat, located in Pakistan’s southwest, recorded Asia’s second-highest modern temperature at 53.7°C in May 2017. The region’s inland geography keeps it insulated from the sea breeze, and its barren terrain absorbs heat quickly. The hottest months are May and June, just before the monsoon. After sunset, the heat lingers for hours due to lack of vegetation and air circulation.
- Location: Balochistan, Pakistan
- Record High: 53.7°C (128.7°F)
- Approx. Low: 8°C (46°F)
Key Heat Characteristics:
- Limited coastal influence and moisture
- May–June highs above 50°C
- Long daylight hours exceeding 10 hours
Why These Regions Dominate Global Heat Records?
- Desert landscapes with low rainfall absorb sunlight efficiently.
- Minimal vegetation reduces surface cooling.
- Low atmospheric pressure zones trap heat.
- Long daylight hours during summer increase radiation time.
These combined effects make these 10 regions the ultimate examples of natural heat extremes on Earth.
What Makes These the Hottest Places on Earth?
The Hottest Places in the World share environmental features that amplify heat to record levels.
- Low elevation: Traps dense, warm air closer to the ground.
- Lack of humidity: Little or no evaporation for natural cooling.
- Dark or rocky terrain: Absorbs sunlight efficiently.
- Clear skies: Sunlight hits the ground directly for long hours.
- Weak air circulation: Calm winds prevent temperature dispersion.
These combined conditions create intense surface and air temperatures that can exceed 55°C.
How Do Surface and Air Temperatures Differ in Hot Regions?
Surface temperature measures the heat of the ground, while air temperature records heat at about 1.5 meters above ground.
- In the Lut Desert, surface temps reach 70°C, but air temperatures average 50°C.
- In Death Valley, the air peaks at 56°C, but the ground exceeds 90°C.
This difference explains why walking barefoot or touching metal in these places can cause instant burns.
FAQs for the Hottest Places in the World
1. What is the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth?
The highest air temperature ever recorded was 56.7°C (134°F) in Death Valley, California, USA.
2. Which country has the hottest surface temperature?
Iran’s Lut Desert recorded a surface temperature of 70.7°C (159°F), the hottest ever measured.
3. What is the hottest inhabited place in the world?
Dallol in Ethiopia holds the record for the highest year-round average temperature, around 34°C (93°F).
4. Why are deserts the hottest places on Earth?
Deserts are dry, low-lying, and have little moisture, which prevents cooling through evaporation.
5. How much can the temperature drop at night in hot deserts?
Nighttime temperatures can fall by as much as 40°C due to rapid heat loss after sunset.