On July 10, 1913, California’s Furnace Creek (population 24) in Death Valley recorded a temperature of 134°F, making it the hottest place in the world—a record it still holds. What’s more, it boasts the highest recorded ground surface temperature (201°F in 1972). While the Mojave Desert temperatures vary widely with elevation, Death Valley this July endured average summer temperatures around 120°F; in winter, though, it can reach a chilly 20°F.
United States
