30 photos show what life is like in the hottest inhabited city on earth

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30 photos show what life is like in the hottest inhabited city on earth

Muslim pilgrims carrying umbrellas to block the sun.

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  • Mecca, Muslim's holiest city, is the world's hottest city.
  • It is the warmest inhabited place on earth, with an average annual temperature of 87.3 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • It has more than 1.5 million permanent residents, and another 2 million pilgrims journey there each year.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Muslim's holiest city is also the world's hottest city.

Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is the warmest inhabited place on earth. Its average annual temperature is 87.3 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, temperatures can reach 122 degrees fahrenheit.

The city is located in Sirat Mountains, inland from the Red Sea, 900 feet above sea level.

On top of the heat, it gets busy. While a little over 1.5 million people live there permanently, more than 2 million pilgrims travel to Mecca annually. Every Muslim, who is able and can afford it, is expected to travel there at least once in their life for the Hajj. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca.

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For those who live there year-round, winters are a little more manageable. But it never gets cold.

These photos show what it's like in the world's hottest inhabited city.

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Welcome to Mecca, the world's hottest inhabited place.

Welcome to Mecca, the world's hottest inhabited place.

In Mecca, during the summer, between June and September, temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and the streets get busy.

In Mecca, during the summer, between June and September, temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and the streets get busy.

Sources: Weather Spark, Britannica

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The city has about 1.5 million permanent residents, but more than 2 million pilgrims flood into Mecca for six days for the Hajj every year.

The city has about 1.5 million permanent residents, but more than 2 million pilgrims flood into Mecca for six days for the Hajj every year.

Sources: Al Arabiya, The National, Al Jazeera

The main day of the pilgrimage, which requires worship outside from sunrise to sunset, can be particularly trying.

The main day of the pilgrimage, which requires worship outside from sunrise to sunset, can be particularly trying.

Source: Forbes

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The closest city to Mecca is Jeddah, a seaside port on the Red Sea. It's about 70 miles miles away and requires traveling through the desert to get there.

The closest city to Mecca is Jeddah, a seaside port on the Red Sea. It's about 70 miles miles away and requires traveling through the desert to get there.

Source: UNESCO

Mecca's wild temperatures are due to it's location, in a dry valley at the base of the Sirat Mountains ...

Mecca's wild temperatures are due to it's location, in a dry valley at the base of the Sirat Mountains ...

Sources: Britannica, Seasons of the Year

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... surrounded by the Arabian Desert. Its average annual temperature is 87.3 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's a dry heat.

... surrounded by the Arabian Desert. Its average annual temperature is 87.3 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's a dry heat.

Sources: Britannica, Seasons of the Year

There's very little greenery, as the view from space shows here. The white structure in the middle is the Great Mosque.

There's very little greenery, as the view from space shows here. The white structure in the middle is the Great Mosque.

Source: Wikimedia

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For the next 10 years, the Hajj will be during the summer.

For the next 10 years, the Hajj will be during the summer.

Sources: Al Arabiya, The National

But the high temperatures are nothing new. Seen here is a pilgrim being given a cold bath to cope with the heat in 1967.

But the high temperatures are nothing new. Seen here is a pilgrim being given a cold bath to cope with the heat in 1967.
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In 1985, a reported 2,000 people got heat stroke, and more than 1,000 of those people ended up dying.

In 1985, a reported 2,000 people got heat stroke, and more than 1,000 of those people ended up dying.

Source: Vox

Dealing with the heat requires preparation. Hotels and some home owners, like the Saudi royalty seen here, have air conditioning.

Dealing with the heat requires preparation. Hotels and some home owners, like the Saudi royalty seen here, have air conditioning.
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And one of Mecca's cooler spots is around the Kaaba, one of Islam's most holy objects.

And one of Mecca's cooler spots is around the Kaaba, one of Islam's most holy objects.

Sources: Khaleej Times, The National

The ground near the Kaaba is made from white Thassos marble, which was imported from Greece. It reflects the sun and heat during the day and remains cool even on hot days. The area also has an abundance of air conditioning.

The ground near the Kaaba is made from white Thassos marble, which was imported from Greece. It reflects the sun and heat during the day and remains cool even on hot days. The area also has an abundance of air conditioning.

Sources: Khaleej Times, The National

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But people have to go outside. It's common for pilgrims to buy lots of water to help them get through the heat later in the day.

But people have to go outside. It's common for pilgrims to buy lots of water to help them get through the heat later in the day.

Source: The National

For those who need to be outside in the heat, umbrellas are a must.

For those who need to be outside in the heat, umbrellas are a must.

Source: Forbes

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Some have modified them to limit energy use as much as possible.

Some have modified them to limit energy use as much as possible.

One man has even created a "smart umbrella," which uses solar energy to power a fan to keep the user cool. It also has a flashlight, a USB outlet to charge phones, and a GPS tracker.

One man has even created a "smart umbrella," which uses solar energy to power a fan to keep the user cool. It also has a flashlight, a USB outlet to charge phones, and a GPS tracker.

Source: Eco-Business

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To keep cool, pilgrims may also eat ice cream.

To keep cool, pilgrims may also eat ice cream.

Source: New York Times

And whenever there's time for a break, people keep drinking water.

And whenever there's time for a break, people keep drinking water.
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Water is even sprayed into the mouths of those in need.

Water is even sprayed into the mouths of those in need.

Since Mecca is in the desert, even during the evening temperatures only drop to about 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since Mecca is in the desert, even during the evening temperatures only drop to about 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sources: My Weather 2, Weather and Climate

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For the 1.5 million residents who live there year-round, two of Mecca's main industries are now tourism and construction. Thirteen of 15 of Mecca's old neighborhoods have been rebuilt for tourism and commerce.

For the 1.5 million residents who live there year-round, two of Mecca's main industries are now tourism and construction. Thirteen of 15 of Mecca's old neighborhoods have been rebuilt for tourism and commerce.

Source: The Guardian

Smaller businesses like tour guides, vegetable sellers, and street vendors are struggling to compete with the newly built fast-food chains and hotels.

Smaller businesses like tour guides, vegetable sellers, and street vendors are struggling to compete with the newly built fast-food chains and hotels.

Source: The Guardian

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During the winter, locals can look forward to milder temperatures, with an average high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and a low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the winter, locals can look forward to milder temperatures, with an average high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and a low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sources: Britannica, My Weather 2

Over the entire year, there is usually fewer than 5 inches of rain.

Over the entire year, there is usually fewer than 5 inches of rain.

Sources: Britannica, My Weather 2

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Due to the arid, harsh conditions, wild animals and plants aren't abundant. Seen here is a cat sleeping on a mountain.

Due to the arid, harsh conditions, wild animals and plants aren't abundant. Seen here is a cat sleeping on a mountain.

Other wild animals in the area include wolves, hyenas, foxes, mongooses, and jerboas. There has also been a surge in monkeys in Mount Al-Noor District since weapons used to shoot them were banned.

Other wild animals in the area include wolves, hyenas, foxes, mongooses, and jerboas. There has also been a surge in monkeys in Mount Al-Noor District since weapons used to shoot them were banned.

Sources: Britannica, Al Arabiya

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If carbon emissions continue at their current rate, by 2100, Mecca's maximum temperature could soar to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

If carbon emissions continue at their current rate, by 2100, Mecca's maximum temperature could soar to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

Source: Business Insider

If it continues to get hotter, the Hajj may become a physically impossible journey due to heat stress.

If it continues to get hotter, the Hajj may become a physically impossible journey due to heat stress.

Source: Wired

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