When it comes to heat, Earth doesn’t hold back. From deserts that radiate scorching energy to cities where summer feels like an endurance test, the hottest places on the planet push the boundaries of what life can endure. This list brings together locations that are relentless in their heat – ranked by a mix of record-breaking air temperatures, blistering surface temperatures and regions where annual averages hover at unimaginable highs.

Click through this gallery to discover the 15 hottest places on Earth...