From the highest mountain to hottest desert, Asia’s home to many of the world’s superlative natural wonders. Discover what makes this continent the most extreme on the planet.
HOTTEST POINT
Lut Desert, Iran 70.7°C
Parked in Iran’s southeast, this large salt desert lays claim to being the hottest location on the planet. The highest temperature ever recorded here was a sweltering 70.7°C, captured by a NASA satellite in 2005. The hottest point is a dark lava plateau called Gandom Beryan, which covers an area of around 480 square kilometres.
EXPEDITION INFORMATION
WHEN TO GO The best time to visit the Lut Desert is during spring and autumn– from March to May, and September to November respectively. Summer, of course, should be avoided, as should winter, when nighttime temperatures drop below zero
GETTING AROUND It is easy to travel within Iran on buses, trains and savaris (shared taxis)
GETTING THERE Tours of the Lut Desert start and end in Kerman, which can be reached via Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani International Airport. The airport has a connection to Dubai as well as various domestic connections. Itineraries typically include the ancient sites at Bam, Rayen and Mahan
COLDEST INHABITED PLACE
Oymyakon, Russia –71.2°C
This story is from the AG 05/2021 - 150 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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This story is from the AG 05/2021 - 150 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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