Not a Huge Surprise: Death Valley NP Named Hottest Place on Earth

For those of you who have travelled to Death Valley (with or without Parkwest), it will come as no surprise that a recent New York Times article declared Death Valley NP as the hottest place on the planet.  Previously, that honor was held by Al Aziziyah, Libya.  However the World Meteorological Organization has recently thrown out Libya's 1922 reading of 136.4, and given the title to Death Valley's 134.0-degree temperature registered on July 10, 1913.

In the past, Death Valley could only claim to be the hottest spot in the US, or in the Western Hemisphere, or some such limitation.  Now, a furious effort is underway to capitalize on the declaration, with promotional efforts, new marketing material, and even a 100-year celebration commemorating the record-breaking temperature.  Death Valley next July, anyone?

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