Death Valley

desert · extreme heat · California · record-breaker

Hottest place on Earth. Death Valley holds the official record for the highest surface temperature ever recorded on our planet. The World Meteorological Organization confirmed this amazing and intense heat record.

Desert within deserts. Death Valley sits in the northern Mojave Desert, which itself is part of the even larger Great Basin Desert. This means it's surrounded by some of the driest, most extreme landscape in North America.

Located in California. You'll find Death Valley in the eastern part of California, tucked into a valley between mountains. Despite its dramatic name, it's actually a real place you can visit today.

Scorching summers. The intense heat happens because the valley is low, surrounded by mountains that trap hot air, and gets very little rain. This creates a natural oven effect that makes temperatures soar.

Extreme landscape. The valley is home to stunning geological formations, salt flats, and colorful rock formations that tell the story of Earth's ancient past. It's one of the most unique and dramatic places in the United States.