Area 51, Classified military installation in southern Nevada, United States
Area 51 is a highly classified United States Air Force facility located on Groom Lake, a dry salt flat in the Nevada desert approximately 83 miles (134 kilometers) north of Las Vegas, covering several square miles with extensive runways, hangars, and restricted zones secured by armed guards and electronic surveillance systems.
Established in 1955 as a testing site for the Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft during the Cold War, Area 51 later became the development center for advanced aircraft including the SR-71 Blackbird and F-117 stealth fighter, with the CIA officially acknowledging its existence only in 2013.
The base has become deeply embedded in popular culture and conspiracy theories, particularly regarding alleged extraterrestrial research and recovered alien spacecraft, inspiring countless movies, television shows, and books about government secrecy and UFO phenomena.
The facility is completely closed to the public with no authorized tours or visits, and trespassing is strictly prohibited with warning signs indicating deadly force may be used against intruders, while the nearest accessible town is Rachel, Nevada, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away.
Area 51 gained unexpected attention in 2019 when a viral Facebook event called 'Storm Area 51' attracted millions of responses worldwide, prompting the Air Force to issue warnings and leading to a small gathering of curious visitors near the restricted perimeter.
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