Torreta de Guardamar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torreta de Guardamar |
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Mast radiator insulated against ground |
| Location | Guardamar, Spain |
| Coordinates | 38°4′18″N 0°39′52″W / 38.07167°N 0.66444°W |
| Completed | 1962 |
| Height | 380 m (1,246.72 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Spanish Navy |
The Torreta de Guardamar is a super tall radio tower in Guardamar del Segura, Spain. People also call it the Torre de los Americanos (Tower of the Americans). It stands 380 meters (about 1,247 feet) high. This makes it the tallest building or structure in both Spain and the entire European Union. It is also the tallest military structure in Europe.
The US Navy built this huge tower in 1962. Its base is about 64 meters (210 feet) above sea level. It is also quite close to the sea, only about 1.4 kilometers (less than a mile) away.
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What is the Torreta de Guardamar?
The Torreta de Guardamar is a special type of radio tower called a mast radiator. This means the entire tower acts like a giant antenna. It is built to send out very low frequency (VLF) radio waves. These waves can travel long distances and even go through water. This makes them perfect for talking to submarines that are underwater.
How is the Torreta built?
The tower has a strong, open framework. It looks like a giant triangle made of metal beams. Even though it is incredibly tall, its height is just right for the very long radio waves it sends out. To help it work even better, many strong cables connect to the top of the tower. These cables stretch out to anchors on the ground around the tower. They help the tower send out its signals.
Who uses the Torreta de Guardamar?
When it was first built, the US Navy used the Torreta de Guardamar. They controlled it from their base in Rota, Spain. Later, the tower was given to the Spanish Navy.
Today, the Spanish Navy uses the Torreta to send important messages to their submarines. These submarines are often based in Cartagena. The tower helps the navy communicate with their submarines even when they are deep underwater.
Unlike some other VLF radio towers, the Torreta de Guardamar does not have a fixed radio frequency. It also does not have a special call sign like other radio stations.
Protecting the Torreta
The Torreta de Guardamar is a very important military site. Because of this, the Spanish Marine Infantry guards it. You might see signs that say "Radio Estación Naval - Antena LF 380 metros - Guardamar." This means "Naval Radio Station - 380 meter LF Antenna - Guardamar." Officially, the facility is known as the "Estación Radio de Guardamar del Segura" (Guardamar del Segura Radio Station).
