7 of the 10 hottest countries in the world are in Africa & the Maghreb

The top four hottest countries in the world are in the Maghreb

Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Mauritania top the list. The report focused on the mean surface air temperature — which averages daily highs and lows over a period to provide a consistent measure of warmth — and offers a reliable way to compare the relentless heat affecting both deserts and rainforests. Mauritania's climate is sculpted by its expansive deserts, which push the average yearly temperature to 83.9 degrees Fahrenheit (28.82 degrees Celsius).