- the symbol of freedom and democracy...

                                                            

                

Statue of Liberty (English Statue of Liberty, the full name - Liberty, illuminating the world, English. Liberty Enlightening the World) - one of the most famous sculptures in the United States and the world, often called "the symbol of New York and the U.S.", "symbol of freedom and democracy, "" Lady Liberty ". This is a gift of French citizens to the centennial of the American Revolution.

Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island (born Liberty Island), about 3 km south-west of the southern tip of Manhattan, one of the boroughs of New York. Until 1956 the island was called "island Bedlou" (born Bedloe's Island), though popularly called the "island of freedom" since the beginning of XX century.

Goddess of Liberty holds a torch in his right hand and a plate on the left. The inscription on the plate reads "English. JULY IV MDCCLXXVI »(« July 4, 1776 "), date of signing of the Declaration of Independence. One foot "Freedom" is on the broken chains.

Visitors are coming up to 356 steps to the crown of the statue of liberty or 192 steps to the top of the pedestal. In the corona, there are 25 windows, which symbolize the earthly and heavenly gems rays illuminate the world. The seven rays on the crown of the statue symbolize the seven seas and seven continents (the western geographical tradition has it the 7 continents).

The total weight of copper, used for tide statue - 31 ton, and the total weight of its steel structure - 125 tons. The total weight of the cement foundation - 27 thousand tons. The thickness of the copper covering of the statue - 2,37 mm. Height from ground to tip of torch - 93 meters, including base and pedestal. Height of the statue, from the top of the pedestal to the torch - 46 meters.

The statue was constructed of thin sheets of copper, minted in wooden forms. The formed sheets were then mounted on a steel frame. The idea of creating a statue of the centenary of American independence, noted in 1876, attributed to the French writer Edouard de Laboulaye, believing that a prisoner in 1778, the alliance between France and the United States should properly immortalized. Eiffel brilliantly developed the iron skeleton, and Bartholdy "dressed" in his forged copper sheets 3 mm thick, fixed to the frame bolts.

On the ferry going to the Liberty Island, almost always worth all, and even more foremost within the statue, so the elevator can accommodate only a few people (there are stairs). The observation deck at the top of the pedestal is located at a height of 10-storey building, and there could clearly see all the landmarks of the surrounding area. The most energetic and physically fit can climb another 12 floors (168 steps) to the crown, but the torch lifted up to 93 m above sea level, is open to visitors.