Hottest cities in the world: but where is Tunisia?

Extreme heat gripped several global regions on July 5, 2026, with Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of the Sahel experiencing intense temperatures. China's Turpan led the rankings with a scorching 49.1°C, followed by Tuz in Iraq at 47.6°C. Numerous locations in Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran also recorded temperatures well above 46°C, according to international meteorological stations.

These readings highlight the harsh reality of summer heat in arid and desert regions, where extreme thermal levels are regularly surpassed. However, the article emphasizes that such "hottest cities" lists are indicative snapshots rather than scientific, stable climate hierarchies. The precise location of weather stations, whether in urban areas, deserts, or near airports, and immediate local conditions significantly influence the data.

The data confirmed a recurring trend: the highest temperatures are concentrated in a broad band stretching from South Asia to the Arabian Peninsula and including certain Sahelian regions. Pakistan, Qatar, and Kuwait registered peaks exceeding 47°C, while Iran, Iraq, Mali, and Algeria reported temperatures near 46–47°C.

Interestingly, no Tunisian cities featured in the top 15 hottest locations for that day. This absence does not indicate exceptional coolness but rather more moderate thermal performance compared to some neighboring countries. While Tunisia usually faces significant summer heat, particularly in its southern regions, the atmospheric conditions on July 5 seemed to result in less extreme values, insufficient to make the specific list.