What is the Statue of Liberty and why is it significant?

The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in the United States. The statue, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States, and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue stands 151 feet tall and is made of copper sheets over an iron framework. It depicts a woman holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand on which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence.

The Statue of Liberty is significant as a symbol of freedom and democracy. It was intended to be a celebration of the friendship between France and the United States and the values they shared. The statue has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States over the years and is a symbol of hope and opportunity for people around the world. Today, it remains an iconic landmark and a popular tourist attraction in New York City.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, the Statue of Liberty is also an engineering marvel. The statue was one of the tallest structures of its time and required innovative engineering techniques to construct. The internal framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.