▲The UK was hit by two deadly heat waves from 1906 to 1911. 36°C (96°F) was recorded on both occasions, breaking records that would remain unbroken for decades.

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A 10-day heat wave struck eastern North America in 1896. Around 1,500 people reportedly died due to the blistering hot weather, which affected New York City, Boston, Newark, and Chicago.

▲Nearly 10,000 people were reportedly killed by the 1901 heat wave in the eastern United States. July 1901 was the hottest month in the country until the 1930s.

▲The Australian outback town of Oodnadatta hit around 51°C (123°F) in 1960. That's the highest temperature ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere and Oceania.

▲One of the earliest examples of a brutal heat wave took place in July 1757, with hot weather reported around Europe. With temperatures in Paris recorded at over 31°C (88°F), it's regarded as one of Europe's second hottest summers.

▲In 1911, northeastern North America heated up once again. The death toll ranges from 400 to 2,000, with temperatures recorded at around 41°C (106°F).

▲Back to the Northeastern United States, with another horrifying heat wave recorded in 1972. Around 900 people died across 16 days, caused by high humidity.

▲In 1980, a heat wave and drought tore through US cities like Missouri and Kansas City. Temperatures ranged from 38°C (100°F) to 47°C (117°F). It was partially stopped by Hurricane Allen.

▲Greece got 11 days of intense heat in 1987. Around 1,000 deaths were recorded in the area of Athens, with temperatures reaching around 44°C (111°F).

▲Britain was heating up in 1976, with one of the hottest heat waves ever recorded. There were blue skies from May until September, with highs recorded at 36°C (97°F).

▲Many British cities recorded their highest temperatures in 1990, with highs of around 37°C (99°F).

▲In 2003, western Europe was incinerated by another heat wave. England, Spain, and France were the main targets, and nearly 15,000 deaths were recorded. At one point, Portugal hit 47°C (117°F).

▲Southeastern Europe had a summer like no other in 2007. Bulgaria had its hottest year ever, with temperatures reaching 45°C (113°F).

▲From '98 to '99, the US suffered a drought and heat wave. 5,000 to 10,000 people reportedly died in the heat, which caused around US$130 billion in damages.

▲Parts of Canada and the US were hit by the 2006 North American heat wave. 220 deaths were connected to the weather, with California reaching heights of 54°C (130°F).

▲Europe heated up once again in 2006. Paris went up to 40°C (104°F), Ireland went up to 32°C (90°F), and Britain got up to 37°C (99°F).

▲In 1995 and 1997, the UK was hit with two powerful heat waves. In 1995, the country recorded it's third hottest summer since 1659.

▲The Sindh province in Pakistan was affected by a heat wave back in 2010. There was a national record high temperature of 54°C (128°F).

▲An Asian heat wave tore through the continent the same year. In India, temperatures were as high as 48°C (118°F).

▲Southern China was struck by a severe heat wave in 2013. Areas like Shanghai, Hunan, and Chongqing had temperatures well over 40°C (104°F).

▲In late August 2009, Argentina had an unusual winter heat wave. High temperatures are normally recorded at 15°C (59°F), but exceeded 35°C (94.3°F).

▲Much of the Northern Hemisphere was affected by the summer heat wave of 2010. European Russia and Northeastern China were among the most affected areas.

▲Records were broken in 2011, with a heat wave hitting southwestern Asia during summertime...

▲For 10 days, Australia's Northern Territory was over 40°C (104°F). There was another heat wave in 2009, with thousands of homes destroyed in bushfires.

▲...Iraq was hotter than 49°C (120°F), while asphalt reportedly melted in Tbilisi, Georgia.

▲Temperatures were high in the Middle East, making heat waves all the more unbearable. In Kuwait, highs of 54°C (129°F) were recorded.

▲Even Canada had its own blistering heat wave. British Columbia was affected, with areas reaching heights of 38°C (100°F).

▲Over 2,500 lives were lost in June 2015, when a lethal heat wave burned through Karachi, Pakistan.

▲Over 2,000 deaths were connected to a heat wave in India in 2015. Daytime temperatures were recorded at a high of 47°C (116°F).

▲The Angry Summer of Australia lasted from 2012 to 2013. 123 weather records were broken over 90 days, and at one point the whole continent averaged above 39°C (102°F).

▲The Iranian city of Jask was heating up in 2016. The nearby area of Ahvaz also soared to 54°C (129°F).

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In 2018, heat waves hit across the world. Deaths were reported in Canada, as well as Japan and across Europe.

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Many parts of China were affected by a heat wave back in July 2017. The area of A Baoxiang set a record temperature of 51°C (123°F).

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In 2013, Argentina suffered a historical phenomenon when it had its longest heat wave ever, from December 2013 to January 2014. Some areas were as hot as 46°C (114°F).

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They don't call it Death Valley for no reason. In 1913, the desert valley in California had a record high temperature of around 57°C (134°F).

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Eastern Europe warmed up in 2010. Locations in Bulgaria reached heights of 37°C (98°F).

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Argentina suffered in the first eight days of February 1900, dubbed the "week of fire." Cities like Buenos Aires and Rosario recorded 37°C (99 °F) temperatures, with humidity bringing the sensation of heat to around 49°C (120 °F). Around 500 people died due to the heat wave.

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The yearly Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, known as the Hajj, has resulted in a shocking number of deaths due to extreme temperatures. The Saudi government estimated that 1.8 million people participated in the pilgrimage this year but many came unregistered, leaving them without access to facilities like transport and air-conditioned tents. These resources were particularly essential this year as temperatures hit 122F (50C). According to the Saudi news agency SPA, more than three-quarters of the 1,300 people who died didn't have permits for the Hajj and had walked in direct sunlight without adequate shelter. Some were elderly or suffering from chronic illnesses. Every year, Muslims from all over the world make their way to the holy city of Mecca to complete the Hajj—something all Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.

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The first week of July 2023 was the hottest week on record for the planet as a whole, according to the World Meteorological Organization, with blisteringly high temperatures being reported across the world in Europe, the US, and Asia, breaking records on multiple continents. Wildfires raged across North America and Europe, and at the same time, torrential rains inundated parts of Japan, China, South Korea, and India, upending the lives of millions and causing flash floods, landslides, and power cuts.

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The globe is warming up, with summers getting hotter every year. According to the World Meteorological Organization, climate change is to blame for the high temperatures which have a huge effect on humankind. The elderly die in greater numbers, natural disasters like wildfires kill hundreds and destroy homes, and food sources are wiped out by the heat. Half of all children living in 50 countries across Europe and Central Asia face frequent heatwaves, twice the global average of 1 in 4 children.

To find out more about the biggest heat waves, read up on the hottest days in history in this gallery.