Where is the Statue of Liberty?

Why This Matters

The Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor, on Liberty Island. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and one of the most powerful symbols of the United States. For more than a century, the statue has represented freedom, democracy, and the promise of a better life. For millions of immigrants who arrived by ship, the Statue of Liberty was the first thing they saw as they approached America.

The statue was a gift from France to the United States, dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, and its iron framework was built by Gustave Eiffel, who later designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The statue depicts a woman holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand. The tablet is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, American Independence Day. At the base of the statue is a famous poem by Emma Lazarus that includes the words "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

The Statue of Liberty stands near Ellis Island, which was the main immigration processing center for the United States from 1892 to 1954. More than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island during that time. Today, the Statue of Liberty is a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by about four million people each year. Its meaning is especially personal for citizenship applicants who are continuing the tradition of people seeking freedom in America.

Key Facts

• The Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor on Liberty Island
• It was a gift from France, dedicated in 1886
• The statue represents freedom and democracy
• It stands near Ellis Island, the historic immigration processing center
• The statue's full name is "Liberty Enlightening the World"

Common Mistakes

• Saying "Ellis Island" instead of "Liberty Island", the statue is on Liberty Island, though Ellis Island is nearby
• Saying "Washington, D.C.", the Statue of Liberty is in New York, not the capital
• Forgetting that either "New York Harbor" or "Liberty Island" is an acceptable answer

Study Tip

Picture the Statue of Liberty standing in the water near New York City. She is on Liberty Island, in New York Harbor. The key words are "New York" and "Liberty Island", either answer is correct. If you remember that the statue welcomed immigrants arriving in New York, the location becomes easy to recall.