Where is the Statue of Liberty? Geography, history and facts ...

Where is the Statue of Liberty? Everyone knows the answer to this question. It's no secret that this monument is rightfully considered a symbol of the United States of America, since it is located in New York, on the island of Liberty. Surely everyone, even those who have not been to America, saw this majestic monument on TV screens, in magazines, in souvenir shops and even in school textbooks.

The full name of the Statue of Liberty sounds literally as "freedom, illuminating the world." The monument is a symbol of independence and democracy. By the way, not everyone knows that the Statue of Liberty, whose height is 93 meters with a pedestal, was donated to the US by the French people, who at one time supported the American people in their struggle for independence. The idea of creating such a sculpture was born in 1865 in the head of the famous French scientist Eduard Rene Leferva de Labulaye. The concept of the monument was designed by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdy. The first model of the statue today can be seen in Paris near the Eiffel Tower.

Selecting a place for a statue

Where is the Statue of Liberty, found out, it remains to learn why it was installed in this place. The place was chosen by the sculptor Bartholdi. He decided that the island of Bedlaw (3 km from the southern border of Manhattan) is the best place. However, according to available information, the statue was also wanted to be installed in Port Said, which is in the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas in Egypt. This project was not implemented, and they decided to put the monument in the US, because it was here that the original idea was realized most fully.

Statue of Liberty: history

The project of erecting the monument was approved in 1877. The Statue of Liberty was planned to be established a year earlier, however, the collection of funds was delayed. It is interesting that money for the installation of the monument was collected as soon as possible: specifically for this purpose, various events, competitions, lotteries, exhibitions and balls were organized. The first presentation of the monument took place on July 4, 1884, after which it was sent to the United States. In New York, where the Statue of Liberty is today, it was only a year later, and the assembly lasted for 4 months. The official opening of the Statue of Liberty took place only in the autumn of 1886. In 1956, Bedlou Island was renamed Liberty Island.

In and around the Statue of Liberty

The statue itself is a steel frame weighing 125 tons. The design and construction of the steel structure involved Gustav Eiffel, the author of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The frame is built in such a way that it can move freely inside, climb the stairs to the main viewing platform, which is located in the crown. From the windows of the crown a wonderful view of the harbor opens. On the plate in the left hand of "Lady Liberty" the date is July 4, 1776 - the date of signing the Declaration of Independence. In addition, in the pedestal, which weighs 25 thousand tons, is a museum, and to get to the top of the pedestal, you need to overcome almost 200 steps! Today, the island, where the Statue of Liberty is located, is considered a national park, and the monument itself is a national monument.

By the way, the monument was restored several times, new lighting elements were added. Today, for example, it's a laser light.

How to get to the Statue of Liberty?

To look at the monument and visit it, all year round tourists come from all over the world. The entrance to the island is free, but crossing the ferry that goes to it, you need to pay, and it is from 5 to 15 dollars. Entrance to the Statue is also free.