A special Google Maps-powered Web site established by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has just tracked Santa Claus' position all over the world, as he was over Japan early Wednesday, heading south toward Guam, the Marshall Islands, New Guinea and ultimately Australia.

From Australia, Santa was expected to head west to cover Asia and Europe, before arriving in North America Wednesday night. The Web site, noradsanta.org, also features interactive tools that allow children to explore Santa's village at the North Pole, play holiday-themed card games and see what's going on at Santa's bakery and workshop.

How did NORAD began to track Santa? This happened ever since 1955, when a Colorado newspaper ad misprinted a phone number that was supposed to connect kids with the jolly Christmas elf. However, the misprinted number was the NORAD commander-in-chief's hotline. Because he did not want to disappoint children who called in, operations director Col. Harry Shoup instructed his staff to “track” Santa's progress on radar and provide children with updates over the phone.

NORAD is a binational organization, consisting of US and Canadian military personnel tasked with monitoring and protecting North America's air sovereignty. Each year, NORAD gives Santa Claus the green light to pass through Canadian and American air space so he can deliver presents to children who have been nice throughout the prior year.

Of course, since then, the agency's efforts have gone more hi-tech, even if the mission is the same as always, keep tabs on Kris Kringle. As for NORAD's official position, there is a Santa Claus. However, he only exists in the hearts of children throughout the world.