Valais

The Valais (German: Wallis (help·info)) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. Sion ( German Sitten, Latin Sedunum) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions we list here areas between 1000 km2 and 10000 km2 This is a lists of Cantons of Switzerland ranked by Area. Note that half-cantons are listed separately counting full cantons Unterwalden ranks 17th before Glarus This is a list of Cantons of Switzerland by highest point The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Dufourspitze (4634m (in German, lit Point of Dufour Pointe Dufour (in French) Punta Dufour (in Italian) or Piz da The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Lake Geneva or Lake Léman (Lac Léman Léman Lac de Genève is the second largest freshwater Lake in Central Europe in terms of surface area (after Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a Federal state of relatively autonomous cantons some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year These are data codes for Switzerland. Country These are codes for the country itself An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. This article lists the executive and legislative organs of the Cantons of Switzerland, as well as the current number of members This is a List of office-holders in 2005 in Switzerland. See also 2005 in Switzerland. This article lists the executive and legislative organs of the Cantons of Switzerland, as well as the current number of members The term Grand Conseil or Great Council refers two different institutions during the Ancien Régime in France. This article lists the executive and legislative organs of the Cantons of Switzerland, as well as the current number of members Municipalities (sometimes called communities or communes, after the French/Italian names are the smallest government division in Switzerland and are called The Valais ( German:) is one of the 26 Cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its In contrast to centrally organised States in the federally constituted Switzerland each Canton iscompletely free to decide its own In contrast to centrally organised States in the federally constituted Switzerland each Canton iscompletely free to decide its own The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the states of the Federal state of Switzerland. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The Rhone, or the Rhône is one of the major Rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France. Lake Geneva or Lake Léman (Lac Léman Léman Lac de Genève is the second largest freshwater Lake in Central Europe in terms of surface area (after The Pennine Alps (also Valais Alps) are a Mountain range in the western part of the Alps. The Bernese Alps are a group of Mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley. Paradoxically it is also one of most well-watered parts, having large amounts of snow and rain up on the highest peaks found in Switzerland. It is perhaps best known for the Cervino/Matterhorn mountain. "Cervino" redirects here For the Italian town see Cervino (CE. "Cervino" redirects here For the Italian town see Cervino (CE.

Geography

the Mischabel Group: Dom, Täschhorn, and Alphubel

The canton of Valais lies in the southwest of Switzerland. The Mischabelhörner, or just Mischabel, is a Massif in the Pennine Alps of Valais, Switzerland, which forms the divide To its south lies Italy, to the southwest France. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. To the north the canton is bounded by the Swiss cantons of Vaud and Bern; the cantons of Uri and Ticino lie to its east. The Canton of Vaud ( French pronunciation) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the southwestern part of the The Swiss Canton of Berne is Bilingual (Kanton Bern Canton de Berne and has a population of about 958000 Uri (German) is one of the 26 Cantons of Switzerland. It is located in Central Switzerland. Canton Ticino or Ticino ( Italian: tiˈtʃiːno French and German: Tessin and) is the southernmost canton of

The wide, glacial Rhône valley dominates the area. The Rhone, or the Rhône is one of the major Rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France. There are many side valleys which branch off the main valley. These vary from narrow and remote to reasonably populous and popular. At the head of the Mattertal valley lies Zermatt, a pretty tourist village dominated by views of the Matterhorn (4 478 m). Mattertal is the valley starting from the Matterhorn, villages in the Mattertal include Zermatt (1620m Täsch, Randa (1445m Grächen Zermatt (Praborgne is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. "Cervino" redirects here For the Italian town see Cervino (CE. Fifty of the mountains exceed 4 000 m with the highest, Monte Rosa, reaching to 4 638 m (15,217ft), and there are numerous glaciers. Monte Rosa is a mountain Massif located in the Italian regions Piedmont and Aosta Valley and in the canton of Valais ( Wallis) "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period.

The Rhône drains the main valley from east to west up to Martigny, then in a right angle north to its mouth in the Lake Geneva. Martigny ( German Martinach, Latin Octodurum, sometimes also Octodure in French) is the capital of the French Lake Geneva or Lake Léman (Lac Léman Léman Lac de Genève is the second largest freshwater Lake in Central Europe in terms of surface area (after After the small town of Saint-Maurice, the northern banks of the river belong to the canton of Vaud. Saint-Maurice, or Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, is a municipality and district capital of the district of Saint-Maurice in the canton of The Canton of Vaud ( French pronunciation) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the southwestern part of the The main valley is bound by the Bernese Alps in the north and the Pennine Alps in the south. The Bernese Alps are a group of Mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. The Pennine Alps (also Valais Alps) are a Mountain range in the western part of the Alps. Only about half of the total area is considered productive.

Valleys

Further information: Valleys of the Alps

North of the Rhône
- Fieschertal
- Lötschental
- Dalatal (Leukerbad)
South of the Rhône:
- Binntal
- Manztal
- Saastal
- Mattertal
- Turtmanntal
- Val d'Anniviers
- Val d'Hérens
- Val d'Hérémence
- Val de Vendaz
- Val de Bagnes
- Val d'Entremont
- Val Ferret
- Val d'Illiez

History

Notre Dame de Valère above the cantonal capital Sion

The Romans called the area Vallis Poenina ("Upper Rhône Valley"). The main valleys of the Alps, orographically by Drainage basin. The Rhone, or the Rhône is one of the major Rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France. Fieschertal is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The Lötschental is the largest valley on the northern side of the Rhône valley in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Leukerbad (Loèche-les-Bains Walliser German: Leiggerbad) is a municipality in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais The Saastal or the Saas Valley is an alpine valley in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. Mattertal is the valley starting from the Matterhorn, villages in the Mattertal include Zermatt (1620m Täsch, Randa (1445m Grächen The val d'Anniviers is a Swiss alpine valley, situated in the district of Sierre in Valais, which extends south of the Rhône Val d'Hérens is an alpine valley in the Valais canton of Switzerland. Bagnes is a municipality in the district of Entremont in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The Val d'Illiez is a valley in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. The Valère basilica (Basilique de Valère also called Valère castle (Château de Valère is a fortified church situated in Sion ( German Sitten, Latin Sedunum) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. From 888 onwards the lands were part of the kingdom of Jurane Burgundy. The Burgundians or Burgundes were an East Germanic tribe which may have emigrated from mainland Scandinavia to the island of Bornholm, whose

Main article: Bishops of Sion. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sion (Bistum Sitten Dioecesis Sedunensis Évêché de Sion in the Swiss canton of Valais, is the oldest bishopric in Switzerland

King Rudolph III of Burgundy gave the lands to the Bishop of Sion in 999, making him Count of the Valais. Rudolf III of Burgundy (called Rudolf der Faule in German and Rodolphe le Fainéant meaning sluggard or do-nothing or - le Pieux the Pious in French The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sion (Bistum Sitten Dioecesis Sedunensis Évêché de Sion in the Swiss canton of Valais, is the oldest bishopric in Switzerland The count-bishops then struggled to defend their area against the dukes of Savoy, so that the medieval history of the Valais is inextricably linked with that of the diocese of Sion. For the two French départements of the region of Savoy see Savoie and Haute-Savoie Savoy ( French

The Valais resisted the Protestant Reformation, remaining faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time On March 12, 1529, Valais became an associate member (Zugewandter Ort) of the Swiss Confederation. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation In 1628 the Valais became technically a republic, the République des Sept Dizains / Republik der Sieben Zehenden under the guidance of the prince-bishop of Sion and the bailli. The bishop remained in power until 1798 when Napoleon's troops invaded the Valais and declared a Revolutionary République du Valais (March 16) which was swiftly incorporated (May 1) into the Helvetic Republic until 1802 when it became the independent Rhodanic Republic. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. In Swiss history, the Helvetic Republic ( 1798 &ndash 1803) represented an early attempt to impose a central authority over Switzerland, In 1810 the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by Napoleonic France as the département of Simplon. Simplon was the name of a département of the First French Empire. Independence was restored in 1813 and on August 4, 1815 the Valais finally entered the Swiss confederation as a canton. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1815 ( MDCCCXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year In 1845 the Valais joined the Catholic separatist league (Sonderbund), but chose not to fight the troops of the confederation in 1847 and submitted to the federal forces. The Sonderbund Swiss civil war of November 1847 ensued after the Sonderbund (meaning "separate alliance" in German) was created in 1845

Economy

Summertime skiing in the Valais on the Theodul glacier

Wine production and tourism are some of the main industries of the canton. "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel The Matterhorn near Zermatt is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Swiss mountains, as is its sister valley immediately east Saas Fee. "Cervino" redirects here For the Italian town see Cervino (CE. Zermatt (Praborgne is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Saas-Fee is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Other parts of the mountains of the canton further west are popular as well, such as the more French-speaking resorts near Verbier and the Evolene and Arolla region. Verbier is a Ski resort in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais. Evolène is a municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Arolla is a village in the municipality of Evolène in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The resorts on the north side of the main Rhône river valley are popular, looking out southwards towards the Peninne Alps and still part of the southern slope of the Bernese Alps, such as the family-oriented resort of Crans-Montana. The Pennine Alps (also Valais Alps) are a Mountain range in the western part of the Alps. The Bernese Alps are a group of Mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. Crans-Montana (also known as Crans sur Sierre) is a Ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the Valais, located on a plateau above The resorts in the Goms region are slightly less known, yet also receive attention during the summer hiking season and the winter ski season. GOMS stands for Goals Operators Methods and Selection rules, an approach to Human computer interaction observation Snow skiing is a group of sports utilizing Skis as primary equipment

Apart from tourism, agriculture is still important, particularly cattle breeding in the mountains and dairy farming in the plains. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an Animal husbandry enterprise for long-term production of Milk, which may be either processed on-site or The wine industry of the canton is the largest in Switzerland. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice There are also a large number orchards in the area, and saffron is also gathered here. An orchard is an intentional planting of Trees or Shrubs maintained for Food production. Saffron ( Kurdish/Persian زَعْفَرَان is a Spice derived from the dried Stigma of the Flower of the saffron crocus ( Crocus sativus

Europe's tallest gravity dam is located at Grande Dixence in the canton. A dam is a barrier that divides waters. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water while other structures such as Floodgates, Levees The Grande Dixence Dam, at the head of the Val d'Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland, is at 285 metres (935 ft high one of Hydroelectric power plants from the canton produce about a quarter of Swiss electricity. Hydroelectricity is electricity generated by Hydropower, ie the production of power through use of the gravitational force of falling water

The west part and the most industrial region of the canton is called Chablais. Chablais was a former province of the Duchy of Savoy, with its historic capital in Thonon-les-Bains. The area is very important for the economy. The lands from the Valais part of Lake Geneva to the town of St-Maurice are located in the Chablais. There are a lot of factories, the most important are the subsidiaries of Novartis and Syngenta, in Monthey. Novartis International AG is a multinational Pharmaceutical company based in Basel Switzerland that manufactures drugs such as Clozapine Syngenta AG is a large global Agribusiness which markets Seeds and crop protection products ( Pesticides) Monthey is the Capital of the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In the town of Collombey-Muraz, there is an oil refinery. Collombey-Muraz is a municipality in the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. An oil refinery is an industrial Process plant where Crude oil is processed and refined into more useful Petroleum products, such as Gasoline

Near Visp there is a large aluminium processing plant. Visp ( French Viège) is the capital of the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. WikipediaNaming Other metal products and chemicals are produced around Visp and Sierre. Sierre (German Siders) is the Capital of the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland

Despite the thriving tourist industry, high level of infrastructure, and the many vineyards, canton Valais is still one of the poorest of the Swiss cantons, and not yet near the wealthier banking/financial cantons. A large portion of the canton's land and houses is now owned by foreigners.

The mountainous canton with a plethora of ski resorts was narrowly passed over in the bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics. The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIX Olympic Winter Games were a Winter Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 2002 The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were a Winter Multi-sport event which was celebrated in

Transport

View looking down on the broad Rhône valley running through the middle of the Valais

A small airport is located at Sion, but the main routes of transport are rail and road. The Rhone, or the Rhône is one of the major Rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France. Sion ( German Sitten, Latin Sedunum) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. Both networks are extensive and benefit from tourism. There are two major rail tunnels at the Simplon (Simplon Tunnel) and Lötschberg (Lötschberg Tunnel) and a road tunnel at the Great St Bernard. Simplon Pass ( Italian: Passo del Sempione) (2008 m /6589 ft) is a high Mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the The Simplon Tunnel is an Alpine Railway Tunnel that connects the Swiss Town of Brig with Domodossola in The Lötschberg Tunnel is a 146 km long Railway Tunnel cutting through the Alps of Switzerland. The Great St Bernard Tunnel is a road tunnel complementing the Great St Bernard Pass, linking Martigny in the Swiss canton of Valais/Wallis with Many of the road passes are well known, such as the Grimsel Pass. The longest land tunnel in the world, the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, will soon be in operation, in late 2007 perhaps, connecting by rail the town of Frutigen in canton Bern, with the town of Visp in canton Valais/Wallis. The Lötschberg Base Tunnel (LBT is a 34577 km (215 mile long new railway Tunnel on the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway cutting through the Frutigen is a municipality in the Bernese Oberland in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The Swiss Canton of Berne is Bilingual (Kanton Bern Canton de Berne and has a population of about 958000 Visp ( French Viège) is the capital of the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. This is to better allay car traffic in the highly scenic Kandertal, and also to provide faster transport through the Bernese Alps from the populous Mittelland in the north to the southern canton of Valais. Kandersteg is a municipality in the district of Frutigen in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. The Bernese Alps are a group of Mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. Cars may be loaded onto the trains as freight. The old train line will still likely have traffic though, as it has highly scenic sections in both cantons on either side of the old tunnel through the dividing ridgeline, yet is somewhat slower than the new route which has a much longer tunnel section.

Because of the tourism there are many mountain railways and cable cars in the mountains. The scenic rail route across the Furka Pass originates in the canton of Valais.

Demographics

Valais is predominantly French- and Arpitan-speaking. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Franco-Provençal ( Francoprovençal) or Arpitan ( Vernacular: frp francoprovençâl arpitan patouès; francoprovenzale arpitano dialetto The eastern part of the canton Upper Valais, however, speaks Walliser German. The Walliser German ( Walliserdeutsch in German) is a group of Highest Alemannic Dialects spoken in Switzerland, specifically in the The French-speaking population makes up a little bit more than two thirds of the total population.

The whole canton is thinly populated. The largest towns are the capital Sion (Sitten), Monthey, Sierre, Martigny and Brig. Sion ( German Sitten, Latin Sedunum) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. Monthey is the Capital of the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Sierre (German Siders) is the Capital of the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland Martigny ( German Martinach, Latin Octodurum, sometimes also Octodure in French) is the capital of the French In nautical terms, a brig is a vessel with two square-rigged masts There is no major city located in the canton. Over 90% of the population is Roman Catholic.

A view of the Lötschental valley

Part of the Haute Route traversing the Pennine Alps between Chamonix and the Valais

Monte Rosa Massif

the Allalinhorn in August

Valais Welcome Sign

View from Anzère

Towns and villages

Municipalities

The following are the municipalities of the canton, by district. The Haute Route, (or The High Route or Mountaineers' Route is the name given to a route (with several variations undertaken on foot or by ski touring between Chamonix, The Pennine Alps (also Valais Alps) are a Mountain range in the western part of the Alps. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or more commonly Chamonix (ʃamɔni in French is a Town and commune in eastern France, in the Haute-Savoie Anzère is a small village in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, north of Sion. Brig (Brigue Briga is the capital of the municipality of Brig-Glis in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland Sion ( German Sitten, Latin Sedunum) is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. Sierre (German Siders) is the Capital of the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland Monthey is the Capital of the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Martigny ( German Martinach, Latin Octodurum, sometimes also Octodure in French) is the capital of the French Crans-Montana (also known as Crans sur Sierre) is a Ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the Valais, located on a plateau above Leukerbad (Loèche-les-Bains Walliser German: Leiggerbad) is a municipality in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais Saas-Fee is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Verbier is a Ski resort in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais. Visp ( French Viège) is the capital of the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Zermatt (Praborgne is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Municipalities (sometimes called communities or communes, after the French/Italian names are the smallest government division in Switzerland and are called

Brig

Conthey

Entremont

Goms

Hérens

Leuk

Martigny

Monthey

Raron

Saint-Maurice

Sierre

Sion

Visp

External links

Cantonal government (French) (German)
Tourist office
Photo database
Internetplatform for holidays in valais, switzerland
Official statistics
On Valais Wine

French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Franco-Provençal ( Francoprovençal) or Arpitan ( Vernacular: frp francoprovençâl arpitan patouès; francoprovenzale arpitano dialetto

Dictionary

-proper noun

A canton of Switzerland (its French name)

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