Europe is usually associated with cool temperatures even in Summer, but this time, many European countries are sweltering in temperatures of more than 40C and above. This heatwave is due to several factors, including hot air being blown from the Sahara.
In Spain, more than half of the provinces are expected to reach temperatures of 44C. This week, Germany hit a sizzling 38.6C, and Paris is expected to plunge into perspiration-inducing 38C.
To cope with the unbearable weather, Europeans have devised all sorts of tricks to help them cool down, including having a splash-about at the Trocadero Fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower, and err men in their birthday suits running amok in German grocery stores.