Cable car facts for kids
A cable car is a special type of car that moves along strong cables. These cables are usually above the car. Giant machines called "winding houses" pull the cables. There's one winding house at the bottom of the route and another at the top. Cable cars don't have their own engines; they are pulled by these cables. They are often used in places with many mountains.
The longest cable car system in the world was finished on October 16, 2010, in Armenia. It is called Wings of Tatev and is 5.7 kilometers (about 3.5 miles) long.
Some cable cars also run on railway tracks, but they are still pulled by a cable.
What Are Cable Cars Used For?
Cable car systems are a great way to travel in many different situations. They can be a good way to move many people, like a public transportation system, without costing too much. For example, in Medellin, Colombia, the Metrocable (Medellin) helps people in low-income areas get around easily.
Why Cable Cars Are Helpful
Cable cars are very useful for traveling over:
- Mountains
- Valleys
- Steep slopes
- Bodies of water
Building roads in mountainous areas can be very expensive and might harm the environment. Cable cars are designed to fit in with the landscape without causing much damage or looking out of place. They are a quiet and eco-friendly way to explore beautiful places.
Related Pages
Images for kids
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Cable car in Rote Nase, Swiss Alps
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Cable car in Wellington, New Zealand
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Cable car at Huangshan, China
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The former Asmara-Massawa Cableway in Eritrea (late-1940s).
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Plateau Rosa cable car, in Italy, reaches 3480m of the Testa Grigia.
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The Arabba Porta Vescovo Funifor
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Squaw Valley Funitel, Jan 2005
