Pine Gap facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pine Gap Australia

Pine Gap is a special facility located about 19 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is officially known as a joint defense satellite tracking station. This means Australia and the United States work together there to keep an eye on satellites orbiting Earth.

What is Pine Gap?

Pine Gap is a very important place for both Australia and the United States. It helps them track satellites in space. These satellites are used for many things, like communication and keeping an eye on different parts of the world for security. The facility is in a remote area, which means it's far away from big cities.

Who Works at Pine Gap?

Around 700 people work at Pine Gap. These workers come from both Australia and the United States. Because of Pine Gap, many American families live in the nearby town of Alice Springs. In total, about 2,000 people in the Alice Springs area are US citizens.

American Culture in Alice Springs

Because so many Americans live in Alice Springs due to Pine Gap, you can see American culture there! People play American sports like baseball and American football. They also celebrate American holidays that are not usually celebrated in Australia. These include Halloween, Independence Day (July 4th), and Thanksgiving. Many Australians living nearby sometimes join in the fun too!

Images for kids

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  Warning sign on the road to Pine Gap