Until September 2012, the record for the world’s hottest temperature was held by Al Aziziyah, Libya that was reported to have reached a high of 136.4°F (58°C) on September 13 of 1922. However, the World Meteorological Organization has since determined that this temperature was overestimated by about 12.6°F
Asia
Two locations have reached extreme-and very close-record temperatures in Asia just since 2016.
- Mitribah, Kuwait saw a high of 129°F (53.9°C) in July of 2016 and Turbat, Pakistan reached 128.7°F in May of 2017.
Africa
Equatorial Africa is commonly believed to be the hottest place on earth, but according to world record temperatures, it is not.
- The highest temperature ever recorded in Africa was 131.0°F (55.9°C) in Kebili, Tunisia, reached in July of 1931.
Europe
Athens, Greece, holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.
North America
The world record for the highest temperature ever officially recorded is 134.0°F (56.7°C) at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, California, set in 1913
Australia
Higher temperatures tend to be reached on larger stretches of land as opposed to small islands.
South America
On December 11, 1905, the highest temperature in South American history clocked in at 120°F (48.9°C) in Rivadavia, Argentina
Antarctica
The lowest high-temperature extreme for all continents is held by frigid Antarctica. The highest temperature ever met by this southernmost continent was 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (17.5 degree Celsius) recorded at the Esperanza research station in 2015.
