Christianna Vogel, age 9, of Lowell, mass., for her question:

HOW MANY STEPS TO THE TOP OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY?

The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, a symbol of American democracy and a beacon of refuge for immigrants, is 151 feet one inch tall from the sandals to the top of the torch. Two parallel stairways that spiral up from the base to the crown have 168 steps each.

Visitors ride up an elevator from the base of a 150 foot pedestal. At this point, an observation balcony affords a magnificent view of the harbor and city. Visitors wishing to go higher then take to the steep, narrow stairway. There is a rest area with seats at every third turn of the spiral.

In Liberty's crown you'll find a 25 foot observation platform that can accommodate 30 viewers.

The torch towers 305 feet one inch above the base of the pedestal. A ladder inside the arm leads to the torch but this is too narrow and steep for public use.

France gave the monument to the United States in 1884 as a symbol of friendship and of the liberty that citizens enjoy under a free form of government.