Yuma, Arizona has been named the sunniest place on Earth by Guinness World Records, averaging just over 4,000 hours of sunshine a year. That accounts for the vast majority of all possible daylight hours, far above the national average of roughly 2,700 hours across the more than 150 U.S. cities studied. Meteorologists credit the persistent ridge of high pressure that keeps the region hot and dry, even during monsoon season.
Yuma isn't alone. Several other Arizona cities rank among the sunniest in the country, with Phoenix and Tucson close behind and Flagstaff also earning a spot near the top.
