Alice Springs, town, central Australia, in the Northern Territory on the eastern periphery of the Macdonnell Ranges. Formerly called Stuart, it originated in 1871 as a telegraph station on the Overland Telegraph Line and was officially founded in 1889. Alice Springs (usually known simply as Alice) is a transport and commercial centre for the surrounding livestock and mining region. Tourism is also important particularly as it is the nearest town to Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock). Alice Springs is almost the geographical centre of the country and one of the few populated areas in Australia's vast, arid interior region known as the Red Centre. The headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service is based in Alice Springs and there is also a School of the Air. Historical sites include Adelaide House, the Aviation Museum, and the Overland Telegraph Station. Population (1998) 25,557.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Alice Springs Information info
|
