Scorching heat.
Endless sunshine.
This may sound like
your average summer,
but with temperatures
skyrocketing across the globe,
things are only going to get hotter.
Some places have already begun
to hit unbearable temperatures,
and I bet you want to know
which places those are
before you book your next vacation.
The summer of 2021
was the hottest on record
with Kuwait City reaching
a temperature of 52 °C (126.6 °F),
which is 10 °C (50 °F)
above a healthy body temperature
and halfway to boiling point.
In order to prevent yourself
from reaching that boiling point,
we are going to provide you
with the top 5 spots
that spike the thermometer
and how to keep yourself
from becoming a victim
of the brutal climate.
There are countless
beautiful travel destinations in the world,
and many people choose their trips
based on the weather.
With temperatures rising,
where you travel could be
the last choice you make.
Here are the top 5 hottest places on Earth.
The Flaming Mountains in Xinjiang, China,
are also known as the Huoyan Mountains.
With clay redstone hills
that have ripples and waves
that seem to mimic
the appearance of flames,
this scorching area regularly reaches
50 °C (122 °F) or higher,
and the surrounding rocks
reflect the Sun,
making it even hotter.
The highest recorded temperature
there was 66.8°C (152.2 °F).
While trekking these mountains,
you will need a lot of sunscreen,
water and the proper footwear.
The heat can be so intense
that it can soften the soles of your shoes,
so this may not be the time
to wear those stylish sneakers.
Kuwait City is close to the equator,
which makes the area very warm.
Nearly 70% of the population
is made up of migrant workers
and many of them work in construction,
so they are exposed
to this deadly heat
all day.
Unfortunately there is not much
vegetation to shade you,
so you should seek air conditioning
to keep cool.
Because the city is so wealthy,
there are a lot of malls
that are air-conditioned
to keep people comfortable.
And shopping.
California’s Death Valley
has earned its name.
It is the driest place in the U.S.,
with summer temps typically ranging
from 47 °C (116 °F) to 57 °C (135 °F).
Death Valley is extremely dry
because of mountain ranges
which prevent it from getting moisture.
Since storms are unable to pass through,
they end up losing moisture
as they cool in the clouds.
It is also very hot
because of the depth and shape
of the region.
The valley has a narrow basin
86 m (282 ft) below sea level
but is surrounded by steep
and high mountain ranges
with nighttime temperatures
that can still be
30 to 35 °C (86 to 95 °F).
The low elevations
are where the temperature
is the most extreme,
so do not hike there.
And those extreme temperatures
make the ground very hard,
so when it rains,
a flash flood could occur.
This could still prove deadly
if you haven't already
succumbed to the heat.
Located along the Mexico - U.S. border,
this arid area recently reached
a sizzling 80.8°C (177 °F).
Like Death Valley,
it is also surrounded by mountains
that trap the hot air,
resulting in extremely
high ground temperatures.
Don’t let this dry air fool you.
It is deceptively deadly.
Choose cooler days to venture out
to the desert
and stick to the morning
when air temperatures
are 15 to 30 degrees cooler.
And you can never have too much water.
A good rule
is to have at least 1 L of water
for every hour
that you are going to be out.
The Lut Desert in Iran
is home to the hottest point of land
on the Earth’s surface
with a recorded temperature
of 70.7 °C (159 °F).
There are reports
that the temperature in the desert
can reach around 81 °C (177 °F) .
There's not much you can do
to survive in the Lut Desert,
which is why it is not inhabited.
Iran only gets about one-third
of the global average rainfall
and has extremely hot spots
with dark rocks, volcanic debris and sand.
All this makes the surface so dark
that light doesn’t reflect.
Instead, it gets absorbed,
making the region hotter.
Surviving in this oppressive heat
requires you to stay hydrated
and protect your skin from sunlight
by wearing lighter colors.
Remember,
with these extreme temperatures,
your body temperature
could increase rapidly.
This could be deadly.
If your body goes above
40 °C (104 °F),
then you are at risk of heat stroke.
This can affect your brain
and put you in a coma.
Your body might feel like it's burning,
but luckily you're not
enduring an actual fire.
If you find yourself caught in a wildfire,
we have survival tips for that, too,
right here on How to Survive.