Among the ten hottest countries in the world, seven are located in Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mauritania, Djibouti, Gambia, and Benin. The remaining three countries are Tuvalu, Maldives, and Palau, situated in the Pacific region.
There are various methods to measure temperatures in these hot regions, but we can focus on the average surface air temperature. This method provides a stable temperature measure by taking the average of daily maximum and minimum temperatures over a period, serving as a reliable means to compare sustained high temperatures in deserts and tropical rainforests.
1. Mali
The hottest country in the world is probably Mali in West Africa. It has a primarily hot desert climate, especially in the north, while the south has a semi-arid climate with very little rainfall. The annual average temperature in Mali is around 29.21 degrees Celsius. The hot season in Mali typically lasts from April to June, with extreme temperatures sometimes reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius. The high temperatures pose significant challenges for daily life and agriculture, particularly in northern Mali. Drought, desertification, and water scarcity are worsening due to climate change, affecting agricultural productivity and food security.
2. Burkina Faso
The annual average temperature in this country is 29.26 degrees Celsius.
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has a climate that varies from semi-arid Sahel in the north to humid savanna in the south. The annual average temperature is 29.26 degrees Celsius. The hot season lasts from March to May, with temperatures potentially exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. Climate change is causing increasingly erratic rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, threatening food security and water resources.
3. Senegal
Located at the westernmost point of Africa, Senegal has a Sahelian tropical climate with an average annual temperature of 28.9 degrees Celsius. Most rainfall occurs from June to October, with the dry season from November to May. Climate change is significantly impacting Senegal, causing rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas and Dakar. These changes exacerbate drought, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, affecting agriculture and food stability.
4. Mauritania
Mauritania, located in northwest Africa, has a climate influenced by vast deserts, with an average annual temperature of 28.82 degrees Celsius. The large interior regions are affected by the extreme heat of the Sahara Desert. The Atlantic coastline provides a slight cooling effect but cannot resist the hot weather. The seasonal Hamadan winds bring brief coolness but also carry large amounts of dust, affecting air quality and visibility.
5. Tuvalu
Tuvalu is a small island nation in the Pacific with relatively stable temperatures and high humidity year-round, creating a tropical climate. Located south of the equator, the climate is warm and stable. The average temperature here is 28.6 degrees Celsius, warm and pleasant. Tuvalu’s climate is characterized by two main seasons: the rainy season from November to April and the dry season from May to October. Annual rainfall ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 mm, providing an important source of freshwater for local agriculture and fisheries.
6. Djibouti
The annual average temperature is 28.49 degrees Celsius.
Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa and has a dry and semi-arid climate, with an average annual temperature of 28.49 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the interior desert regions exceed 40 degrees Celsius most of the day, and during the summer, temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius in areas such as the Danakil Depression. The high temperatures and low rainfall present significant challenges for Djibouti’s water resources and agriculture.
7. Gambia
Gambia, located in West Africa, has a tropical climate with a significant dry season and rainy season influenced by the African monsoon. The average annual temperature is 28.38 degrees Celsius. The dry season usually lasts from November to May, featuring hot dry weather and low rainfall. The rainy season lasts from June to October, bringing substantial rainfall and increased humidity. Rainfall distribution is uneven across the country, with relatively less rain in coastal areas and more in the interior regions.
8. Maldives
The Maldives is one of the warmest countries in the world, with an average annual temperature of about 28.11 degrees Celsius. The tropical monsoon climate leads to minimal temperature fluctuations throughout the year, and the range between the highest and lowest temperatures is very small. Climate change poses significant challenges for this island nation, particularly coastal erosion and coral bleaching.
9. Benin
The tropical climate of Benin ranges from 28 to 32.2 degrees Celsius.
Benin is a West African country with an average annual temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius. Its tropical climate ranges from 28 to 32.2 degrees Celsius. In the northern region, temperatures often soar to around 40 degrees Celsius from February to May. Coastal cities like Cotonou have relatively stable temperatures due to the cooling sea breezes that help maintain temperature consistency year-round. Climate change in Benin is increasing temperature variability and altering rainfall patterns, affecting agriculture and water resources.
10. Palau
The Palau Islands, located in the western Pacific, are known for their equatorial climate, with high temperatures and humidity year-round. The average annual temperature in Palau is about 27.9 degrees Celsius, with minimal fluctuations throughout the year. The rainy season lasts from May to November, with substantial rainfall and occasional storm risks. Palau’s marine environment maintains a temperate climate, with sea surface temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius, providing ideal conditions for marine life and coral reefs. Climate change poses significant threats to Palau, primarily due to rising sea levels and increasing intensity of weather phenomena.
