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{{short description|Canton of Switzerland}}
{{Multiple issues|
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{{Infobox settlement<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Canton of Valais
| native_name = {{native name|fr|Canton du Valais}}<br>{{native name|de|Kanton Wallis}}
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[Cantons of Switzerland|Canton]]
| image_flag = Flag of Canton of Valais.svg
| image_shield = Wappen Wallis matt.svg
| shield_size = 80x80px
| shield_link =
| image_map = {{maplink |frame=y |plain=yes |frame-align=center |zoom=6 |type=shape |stroke-width=2 |frame-lat=46.70 |frame-long=8.25 |frame-width=275 |frame-height=175 }}
| map_alt = Map of Switzerland, ___location of Valais highlighted
| map_caption = Location in Switzerland
{{hidden |ta1=left |border=1px solid grey |header=Map of Valais |content=<br/>[[File:Karte Kanton Wallis 2010.png|250px]] }}
| coordinates = {{coord|46.275|N|7.500|E|region:CH-VS|display=inline,title}}
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]]
| parts_type = Subdivisions
| parts_style = para
| anthem = ''Notre Valais/Wallis, unser Heimatland''<br />{{center|("Our Valais/Wallis, our homeland")}}
| p1 = [[Municipalities of the canton of Valais|122 municipalities]]
| p2 = [[Districts of Switzerland#Valais|13 districts]]
| leader_title = [[President (government title)|President]]
| leader_name = [[Franz Ruppen]]
| leader_title2 = [[List of cantonal executives of Switzerland|Executive]]
| leader_name2 = [[State Council of Valais|State Council]] (5)
| leader_title3 = [[List of cantonal legislatures of Switzerland|Legislative]]
| leader_name3 = [[Grand Council of Valais|Grand Council]] (130)
| area_footnotes = {{Swiss area data||QUELLE-KT}}
| area_total_km2 = {{Swiss area|VS|km=yes }}
| population_footnotes = {{Swiss populations ref|CH-VS }}
| population_total = {{Swiss populations NC|CH-VS|CH-VS}}
| population_as_of = {{Swiss populations data CH-VS|YM}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |last=Statistik |first=Bundesamt für |date=21 January 2021 |title=Bruttoinlandsprodukt (BIP) nach Grossregion und Kanton - 2008-2018 {{!}} Tabelle |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/asset/de/15304856 |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=Bundesamt für Statistik |language=de |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701163024/https://www.bfs.admin.ch/asset/de/15304856 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 19.194 billion (2020)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = CHF 55,313 (2020)
| iso_code = CH-VS
| blank_name_sec1 = [[List of cantons of Switzerland by elevation|Highest point]]
| blank_info_sec1 = {{cvt|4634|m|ft|0}}: [[Monte Rosa]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[List of cantons of Switzerland by elevation|Lowest point]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = {{cvt|372|m|ft|0}}: [[Lake Geneva]]
| blank_name_sec2 = [[History of Switzerland#Order of accession of the cantons|Joined]]
| blank_info_sec2 = 1815
| blank1_name_sec2 = Languages
| blank1_info_sec2 = French, German
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of the canton of Valais.svg
| blank_emblem_type = [[Brandmark]]
| blank_emblem_size = 120px
| website = {{URL|http://www.VS.ch}}
}}
<!--Unexplained changes are going to be reverted!-->
'''Valais''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|v|æ|l|eɪ}} {{respell|VAL|ay}}, {{IPAc-en|US|v|æ|ˈ|l|eɪ}} {{respell|val|AY}}; {{IPA|fr|valɛ|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-DSwissK-Valais.wav}}),{{efn|{{langx|frp|Valês}}; {{langx|de|link=no|Wallis}} {{IPA|de|ˈvalɪs||De-Wallis.ogg}})}} more formally,<!--Only more formally, no information about official name in English on vs.ch--> the '''Canton of Valais''' or '''Wallis''',{{efn|{{langx|fr|link=no|Canton du Valais}}; {{langx|de|link=no|Kanton Wallis}}; in other official Swiss languages outside Valais: {{langx|it|(Canton) Vallese}} {{IPA|it|valˈleːze, -eːse|}}; {{langx|rm|(Chantun) Vallais}}.}} is one of the [[cantons of Switzerland|26 cantons]] forming the [[Switzerland|Swiss Confederation]]. It is composed of thirteen districts and its capital and largest city is [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]].
Valais is essentially coextensive with the valley of the [[Rhône]] from its headwaters to [[Lake Geneva]], separating the [[Pennine Alps]] from the [[Bernese Alps]], the two largest mountain ranges of the canton. A major wine region, the canton is simultaneously one of the driest regions of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley and among the wettest, having large amounts of snow and rain upon the highest peaks found in Switzerland, such as [[Monte Rosa]] and the [[Finsteraarhorn]]. Although a major hydroelectricity producer, Valais is essentially renowned for its tourism industry and its numerous Alpine resort towns, notably [[Crans-Montana]], [[Saas Fee]], [[Verbier]], and [[Zermatt]]. Overlooking the latter town, the [[Matterhorn]] has become an iconic landmark of the canton.
In 1529, Valais became an associate member of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy|Swiss Confederation]]. After having resisted the Protestant Reformation and remained faithful to the [[Roman Catholic Church]], it became a republic under the guidance of the [[Bishop of Sion|prince-bishop of Sion]] in 1628. In 1815, Valais finally entered the Swiss Confederation as a canton. In 1878, the [[Simplon Railway]] connected most of Valais with the cities of the [[Swiss Plateau]]. The canton was further opened up by the [[Lötschberg Railway]] in 1913.
==
The canton is also officially referred to by its long name ''République et canton du Valais'' (French) or ''Republik und Kanton Wallis'' (German).<ref>Used on the government website ''vs.ch''</ref> This translates into ''Republic and Canton of Valais''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espace-mont-blanc.com/en/entities-and-members |title=Mont Blanc Transboundary Conference |website=www.espace-mont-blanc.com |access-date=2022-03-07 |archive-date=2022-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307114210/https://www.espace-mont-blanc.com/en/entities-and-members |url-status=live }}</ref>
==History==
{{Main articles|History of Valais}}
{{further|Prince-bishopric of Sion|Alpes Poeninae|}}
[[File:XBG-Antenne B&W (2).jpg|thumb|Flag of Canton Valais]]
The Romans called the upper Rhône valley ''[[Vallis Poenina]]''. The ''Vallis Poenina'' was conquered by the Romans after the [[Battle of Octodurus]] (now known as [[Martigny, Switzerland|Martigny]]) in 57 BC and became part of the [[Gallo-Roman]] cultural sphere. According to a tradition that can be traced back to the middle of the 8th century, the [[Theban legion]] was martyred at [[Agaunum]] (now [[Saint-Maurice, Switzerland|Saint Maurice]]) about 285 or 302. From 888 onwards the lands were part of the kingdom of [[Burgundians|Jurane Burgundy]].<ref name="EB 1911">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle= Valais| volume= 27 |last= Coolidge |first= William Augustus Brevoort |author-link= W. A. B. Coolidge| pages = 839–840 |short= 1}}</ref>
[[File:Valère castle in Sion, Switzerland, Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left|[[Valère Basilica]] dominating the Rhône Valley. By the 12th century, the [[bishops of Sion]] began building churches and castles in Sion to represent their power and administer their estates.]]
Valais formed part of the kingdom of Transjurane Burgundy, which fell to the [[Holy Roman Empire]] in 1032. It became part of the duchy of Burgundia Minor, which was held by the emperors by the [[house of Zähringen]] (which became extinct in 1218). In 999, King [[Rudolph III of Burgundy]] gave
About the middle of the 13th century, the large communities (Zenden or [[tithing]]s) began to develop independence and grow in power. The name ''Zenden'' or tithings probably came from a very ancient division of the bishop's manors for administrative and judicial purposes. In the same century the upper part of the valley was colonized by Germans from Hasli ([[:de:Haslital|de]]) in the [[Canton of Bern]]. The locals became [[German-speaking]], though many Romance local names remain. In 1354 the liberties of several of the [[République des Sept-Dizains|seven ''Zenden'']] ([[Sion District|Sion]], [[Sierre District|Sierre]], [[Leuk District|Leuk]], [[Raron]], [[Visp District|Visp]], [[Brig District|Brig]] and [[Conches (district)|Conches]]) were confirmed by the [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles IV]].<ref name="EB 1911" />
[[File:Valais1300 english.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Valais in 1300|alt=]]
By the late 14th century, the counts of Savoy acquired the bishopric of Sion. The Zenden resisted his attempts to gather both spiritual and secular power in the valley. In 1375–76, Zenden forces defeated the army of the house of La Tour-Chatillon, and in 1388 routed the forces of the bishop, the count, and his nobles at Visp. The [[Swiss German|German-speaking]] Zenden spread further into the valley. Starting in 1384 the Morge stream (a little below Sion) was recognized as the boundary between Savoyard, [[French-speaking]] Lower Valais and German-speaking episcopal Upper Valais.
During the [[Raron affair]] rebellion from 1414 to 1420, some cantons of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy|Swiss Confederation]] took sides in the conflict. [[Lucerne]], [[Canton of Uri|Uri]] and [[Unterwalden]] supported the Upper Valais rebels, while [[Bern]] supported the noble Raron family. The uprising was successful in driving out the Rarons and almost brought the Confederation to civil war.<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|17017|Raron Affair}}</ref>
Following the Raron affair, the canton was the ___location of the [[Valais witch trials]] between 1428 and 1447 in which at least 367 men and women were put to death. This event marks one of the earliest witch scares in late medieval Europe. The phenomenon later spread to other parts of the continent.
[[File:Karte Wallis 1545.jpg|thumb|Earliest known map of Valais, drawn by Johannes Schalbetter in 1545. Looking south, only the lower portion of the valley from Leuk to Saint-Maurice is depicted.]]
With the election of Walther II. Supersaxo von der Fluhe (from [[Conches (district)|Conches]]) as bishop in 1457, the German-speaking part of the valley finally attained supremacy. At the outbreak of the [[Burgundian Wars]] in 1475, the bishop of Sion and the Zenden made a treaty with Bern. In November of the same year, they seized all Lower or Savoyard Valais up to Martigny. In March 1476, after the victory of [[Battle of Grandson|Grandson]], they advanced and captured St Maurice, [[Évian-les-Bains|Évian]], [[Thonon-les-Bains|Thonon]] and [[Monthey]]. They had to give up the last three districts in 1477 but won them again in 1536. In the treaty of Thonon in 1569, Monthey, Val-d'llliez, and Le Bouveret were permanently annexed to Valais. These conquered districts in the Lower Valais were ruled as subject lands by the bishop and the Tithings of the Upper Valais until 1798. On 12 March 1529, Valais became an associate member (''Zugewandter Ort'') of the [[Swiss Confederation]].<ref name="EB 1911"/>
In the early 17th century, the aristocratic governors of the districts in the Upper Valais pressured the prince-bishop of Sion to abdicate secular power, which was achieved temporarily in 1613 and then permanently in 1634, when the country became the federal [[Republic of the Seven Tithings]] under the rule of a ''[[Landeshauptmann]]''.<ref>{{HDS|9820|Tithings}}</ref> The republic in its original form existed until 1798, when the districts of the Lower Valais, until then ruled as subjects, successfully revolted against the Seven Tithings and achieved equal status within the republic.<ref>{{HDS|7396}}</ref> During the [[French invasion of Switzerland|French invasion of the Swiss Confederacy]] in the same year, Valais was incorporated into the [[Helvetic Republic]] until 1802 when it became the separate [[Rhodanic Republic]].
[[File:Ernest Biéler Entrée du Valais dans la Confédération.jpg|thumb|''Valais joins the Confederation'' by [[Ernest Biéler]] (1944)]]
In 1810, the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by the [[First French Empire]] as the [[Departments of France|departement]] of [[Simplon (department)|Simplon]]. The department was occupied by [[Austrian empire|Austrian]] troops in late 1813;<ref>{{HDS|8643|Simplon (department)}}</ref> on 4 August 1815, Valais finally entered the Swiss Confederation as a canton. In 1845, Valais joined the Catholic separatist league (''[[Sonderbund]]'') which led to what is called the [[Sonderbund War]]. Under General [[Henri Dufour]], 99,000 Swiss Federal troops were faced by 79,000 Separatists, but in the end, Valais chose not to fight.
The beginning of the modern history of Valais essentially coincides with the [[exploration of the High Alps]], the [[first ascent of the Matterhorn]] in 1865 marking the end of the [[golden age of alpinism]]. The boom of tourism followed in the late 19th century. In 1878, the [[Simplon Railway]] connected [[Brig-Glis|Brig]], the last town before the [[Simplon Pass]], from [[Lausanne]] and [[Geneva]] and other major cities of the [[Swiss Plateau]].
==Geography==
{{see also|Geography of Switzerland}}
[[File:Salgesch-Pfynwald.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|The Rhône Valley near Pfynwald. Note the vineyards, pines, and steppic vegetation that are typical of dry Central Valais]]
Valais is the third largest canton of Switzerland by area. It is also one of its westernmost and southernmost cantons while being adjacent to central Switzerland. With a few exceptions, it lies almost entirely in the [[Rhône]] basin, more precisely in the wide Alpine Rhône Valley, above [[Lake Geneva]]. The main settlements are all along the Rhône or in its proximity, the largest city being [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]], followed by [[Martigny]], [[Monthey]], [[Sierre]], and [[Brig-Glis]]. The canton is traditionally divided into three regions: Lower Valais (French: ''Bas-Valais''), Central Valais (French: ''Valais central''), and Upper Valais (German: ''Oberwallis''), with the linguistic border of the canton being at Pfynwald, between the two latter regions. While the more populous Lower and Central Valais are [[French language|French-speaking]], Upper Valais is [[German language|German-speaking]].
The Rhône Valley is a central Alpine valley, i.e. it lies well within the Alps and is shut off from both northern and southern plains. Valais is separated from the [[Swiss Plateau]] to the north by the [[Bernese Alps]] and from the Po plains to the south by the [[Valais Alps]], respectively north and south of the Rhône. Valais is also one of the three large southern cantons lying partially in the [[Po (river)|Po]] basin, therefore south of the Alps, along with [[Ticino]] and the [[Grisons]]. However, contrary to those two cantons, very few settlements are on the south side of the Alps, and they are all well above the plains.<!--Gondo, the lowest, is over 800 m--> The largest regions not drained by the Rhône are the [[Simplon Valley]] (Po basin) and two uninhabited areas north of the [[Sanetsch Pass|Sanetsch]] and the [[Gemmi Pass]] ([[Rhine]] basin).
[[File:Aletschgletscher mit Pinus cembra1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Aletsch Glacier]], largest in the Alps]]
Valais is the [[List of Swiss cantons by elevation|highest canton in terms of absolute, relative, and mean elevation]]. Therefore, its topography is extremely rugged, with the notable exception of the wide, glacial, Rhône valley. The latter valley dominates the geography of the canton. Many side valleys are branching off the main valley, often perpendicularly. These vary from narrow and remote to reasonably populous. On the south side of the Rhône, in the Valais Alps, some of the largest side valleys are (from east to west): the [[Mattertal]] (including the Saastal), the [[Val d'Anniviers]], the [[Val d'Hérens]], the [[Val de Bagnes]] and the [[Val d'Entremont]]. On the north of the Rhône, in the Bernese Alps, the [[Lötschental]] is the only large valley. East of Brig is the valley of [[Goms (region)|Goms]], the highest section of the Rhône Valley. The Rhône itself flows in the main valley from east to west from the [[Rhône Glacier]] down to Martigny, then at a right angle north to its mouth in Lake Geneva. After the town of [[Saint-Maurice, Valais|Saint-Maurice]], the eastern banks of the river belong to the canton of [[Vaud]], although the western banks remain in Valais, down to [[Le Bouveret]], on the shores of Lake Geneva. The main valley is bounded by the Bernese Alps in the north and the Valais Alps in the south, both ranges including numerous over 4,000 metre-high mountains, which are the highest in the country. Notables mountains include [[Monte Rosa]] (highest), reaching {{convert|4634|m|ft}}, and the [[Finsteraarhorn]] (most prominent), reaching {{convert|4274|m|ft}}. Other iconic mountains are the [[Matterhorn]] and the [[Jungfrau]], for a complete list, see [[list of mountains of Valais]]. Located there are [[List of glaciers in Switzerland|numerous glaciers]] including several of the largest in the Alps, such as the [[Aletsch Glacier]] and the [[Gorner Glacier]]. Other ranges situated partially in Valais are the [[Chablais Alps]], the [[Mont Blanc Massif]], the [[Uri Alps]], the [[Gotthard Massif]], and the [[Lepontine Alps]].
Lake Geneva is the only truly large lake in the canton, although only a small fraction of it (about 10 km<sup>2</sup>)<!--Measured on the Swisstopo map--> is in Valais, the plain of the Rhône comprehending only small lakes. There are however numerous sizable lakes in the high Alps, mostly artificial. The largest is [[Lac des Dix]], closely followed by the [[Lac d'Emosson]]. Other large high-elevation lakes are [[Lac de Mauvoisin]], [[Mattmarksee]], [[lac de Salanfe]], [[Lac de Moiry]] and [[Lac de Tseuzier]] (see [[list of mountain lakes of Switzerland]] for a more complete list). All these lakes are used for hydroelectricity production, but they are also popular for their scenic views over the Alps.
[[File:Alps.jpg|thumb|The [[Weisshorn]], one of the highest peaks of Valais]]
Due to the high mountains surrounding the plains of the Rhône, the climate of central Valais is particularly dry, much drier than in [[Climate of Switzerland|the rest of Switzerland]]. While locations at high elevations are highly exposed to rainfall and snowfall, average rainfall per year is only about 600 mm in Sion, corresponding to 50% of that of [[Lucerne]] (north of the Alps) and 30% of that of [[Locarno]] (south of the Alps).<!--About 600 mm in Sion, 1200 mm in Lucerne and 1900 mm in Locarno, according to MeteoSwiss. See articles for references.--> Officially, the driest ___location in Valais and Switzerland is [[Stalden]], with 545 mm of rainfall per year.<ref>[https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/the-climate-of-switzerland/rekorde-schweiz.html Swiss records] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418202439/https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/the-climate-of-switzerland/rekorde-schweiz.html |date=18 April 2021 }}, Federal Office of Meteorology and
Climatology MeteoSwiss, "Dryest ___location: Stalden-Ackersand (VS); 700 m asl; 545 mm"</ref> Valais is often described as "semi-arid",<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution Switzerland's gravity-defying solution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812031741/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution |date=2021-08-12 }}, [[BBC]], 22 July 2021, ("The sight of a scuttling scorpion is a clue to the Valais semi-arid climate, where six species of cactus thrive, alongside figs and snakes.")</ref><ref>Christian Moser, [https://sgeo-ge.ch/les-bisses-du-valais-mythes-et-realites-par-christian-moser/ Les bisses du Valais : mythes et réalités] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810175229/https://sgeo-ge.ch/les-bisses-du-valais-mythes-et-realites-par-christian-moser/ |date=2021-08-10 }}, Société de Géographie de Genève, 11 July 2020 ("Si cette zone climatique que les géographes qualifient de semi-aride permet des cultures de céréales sans recours à l’irrigation, elle ne convient toutefois pas à une production intensive de fourrage indispensable à un élevage bovin.")</ref> although it is not in the climatic sense of the term.<ref>Reynard E. (1995). L’irrigation par les bisses en Valais. Approche géographique, in : ''Les Bisses'', Actes du Colloque international sur les bisses, Sion, 15-18 septembre 1994, ''Annales valaisannes'', 70, p. 50. ("Le climat des stations les plus sèches du Valais n'est donc pas aride selon la classification de MARTONNE")</ref> Therefore, in some areas, such as [[Les Follatères]], are found plants that are uncommon or absent in the rest of Switzerland, such as cactuses.<ref>Michel Desfayes, [http://doc.rero.ch/record/24637 ''Les opuntias du Valais, un problème épineux''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705192228/http://doc.rero.ch/record/24637 |date=2022-07-05 }}. Bulletin de la Murithienne, 2007, no. 125, p. 29-40</ref> On the lower south-facing slopes of the Bernese Alps, numerous vineyards are cultivated, between Fully and Leuk. Unlike in the rest of the country, [[Agriculture in Switzerland#Irrigation|irrigated agriculture]] is common in Valais.
The canton is renowned for its numerous towns and villages in the high Alps. In the Mattertal and adjoining Saastal are [[Zermatt]] and [[Saas Fee]]. Other popular resorts are [[Verbier]], [[Les Marécottes]], [[Champéry]], [[Grimentz]], [[Zinal]], [[Anzère]], [[Crans-Montana]], [[Evolène]], [[Leukerbad]] and [[Fiesch]]. All of them are tourist destination in both summer and winter seasons.
The area of the canton is {{convert|5224|km2|sqmi}} and only about half of the total area is considered productive. Valais shares borders with four other cantons: to the north are the cantons of [[Vaud]] and [[Canton of Bern|Bern]] and to the east are the cantons of [[Canton of Uri|Uri]] and [[Ticino]]. The canton shares international borders as well: to the south are the Italian regions of [[Aosta Valley]] and [[Piedmont]] and to the west is the French region of [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]].<ref>[[Swisstopo]] topographic maps</ref>
==Political subdivisions==
{{main|Subdivisions of the canton of Valais}}
===Districts===
[[Image:Karte Kanton Wallis Bezirke.png|thumb|Districts in Valais|400x400px]]
Valais is divided into 13 districts, with the district of Raron being further divided into two half-districts. The districts are listed here in geographical order:
Upper Valais:
* [[Goms (district)|Goms]] with capital [[Münster-Geschinen]]
* [[Östlich Raron (district)|Östlich Raron]] (half-district) with capital [[Mörel-Filet]]
* [[Brig (district)|Brig]] with capital [[Brig-Glis]]
* [[Visp (district)|Visp]] with capital [[Visp]]
* [[Westlich Raron (district)|Westlich Raron]] (half-district) with capital [[Raron]]
* [[Leuk (district)|Leuk]] with capital [[Leuk]]
Central Valais:
* [[Sierre (district)|Sierre]] with capital [[Sierre]]
* [[Hérens (district)|Hérens]] with capital [[Vex, Switzerland|Vex]]
* [[Sion (district)|Sion]] with capital [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]]
* [[Conthey (district)|Conthey]] with capital [[Conthey]]
Lower Valais:
* [[Entremont (district)|Entremont]] with capital [[Sembrancher]]
* [[Martigny (district)|Martigny]] with capital [[Martigny]]
* [[Saint-Maurice (district)|Saint-Maurice]] with capital [[Saint-Maurice, Switzerland|Saint-Maurice]]
* [[Monthey (district)|Monthey]] with capital [[Monthey]]
===Municipalities===
{{main|Municipalities of the canton of Valais}}
There are 122 [[Municipalities of the canton of Valais|municipalities in the canton]] (as of January 2021).<ref name="Document90142">{{cite web |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/03.Document.90142.xls |title=Liste officielle des communes de la Suisse - 01.01.2008 |work=Office fédéral de la statistique |access-date=15 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612012604/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index/infothek/nomenklaturen/blank/blank/gem_liste/03.Document.90142.xls |archive-date=12 June 2009}}</ref>
==Demographics==
[[File:Maria zum Schnee.jpg|thumb|Predominantly Catholic, the canton includes numerous churches and Alpine chapels (here Maria zum Schnee in [[Bettmeralp]])]]
The western part of Valais (Central and Lower Valais) is French-speaking, while the eastern part (Upper Valais) is German-speaking. The language border crosses the Rhône between the towns of [[Sierre]] and [[Salgesch]] and follows the mountain ridge including [[Bella Tola]], [[Weisshorn]], and [[Dent Blanche]]. At the 2000 census, 62.8% of the population of Valais spoke French or [[Franco-Provençal language|Arpitan]], 28.4% spoke German or [[Walser German]], 2.2% spoke Italian and 6.6% spoke other languages. Only 114 people reported speaking [[Romansh language|Romansh]].<ref>Georges Lüdi, Iwar Werlen (Hrsg.):''Sprachlandschaft in der Schweiz''. Bundesamt für Statistik, Neuchâtel, April 2005.</ref>
The canton is sparsely populated. Its population (as of {{Swiss populations date|CH-VS}}) is {{Swiss populations|CH-VS|CH-VS}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-VS}} {{as of|2007}}, the population included 57,061 foreigners, or about 19.1% of the total population.<ref>{{cite web |last=Federal Department of Statistics |title=Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit, Geschlecht und Kantonen |year=2008 |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html |format=Microsoft Excel |access-date=5 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215033605/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/raeumliche_verteilung/kantone__gemeinden.html |archive-date=15 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The largest towns are the capital [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]] (''Sitten''), [[Monthey]], [[Sierre]], [[Martigny]] and [[Brig-Glis]]. There is no major city located in the canton. As of 2017, 77% of total population was [[Roman Catholic]], while only 6% were members of [[Swiss Reformed Church]].<ref name=Relgion>{{Cite news |url=https://kirchenstatistik.spi-sg.ch/entwicklung-der-kirchenmitgliedschaft/#close |title=Kirchenmitgliedschaft in der römisch-katholischen und evangelisch-reformierten Kirche nach Kantonen (2017) |type=Table 1.4 on the lower part of the page |publisher=SPI St. Gallen |date=2018 |access-date=22 February 2019 |language=de |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429222506/https://kirchenstatistik.spi-sg.ch/entwicklung-der-kirchenmitgliedschaft/#close |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Historical population ===
The historical population is given in the following table:
{| class="wikitable collapsible"
! colspan="5" | Historic Population Data<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wallis |url=https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/007396/2018-01-11/ |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz |language=de |archive-date=2022-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125215825/https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/007396/2018-01-11/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! Year
! Total Population
! Swiss
! Non-Swiss
!Population share <br />of total country
|-
! scope="row" | 1850
| rowspan="1" align="center" |81 559
| rowspan="1" align="center" |79 871
| rowspan="1" align="center" |1 688
| align="center" |3.4%
|-
!1880
| rowspan="1" align="center"|100 190
| rowspan="1" align="center" |97 134
| rowspan="1" align="center"|3 056
| align="center"align="center"|3.5%
|-
! scope="row" | 1900
| rowspan="1" align="center" |114 438
| rowspan="1" align="center" |106 220
| rowspan="1" align="center" |8 218
| align="center" |3.5%
|-
! scope="row" | 1950
| rowspan="1" align="center" |159 178
| rowspan="1" align="center" |154 179
| rowspan="1" align="center" |4 999
| align="center" |3.4%
|-
! scope="row" | 1970
| rowspan="1" align="center" |206 563
| rowspan="1" align="center" |185 309
| rowspan="1" align="center" |21 254
| align="center" |3.3%
|-
!2000
| align="center"|272 399
| align="center"|225 356
| rowspan="1" align="center" |47 043
| align="center"|3.7%
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| align="center" | 348,503 || align="center" | || align="center" |
| align="center" |4.0%
|-
|}
==Politics==
===Federal election results===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style ="text-align: center"
|-
! colspan="15"| Percentage of the total vote per party in the canton in the [[National Council (Switzerland)|National Council]] Elections 1971–2015<ref>{{cite report |title=Nationalratswahlen: Stärke der Parteien nach Kantonen (Schweiz = 100%) |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |date=2015 |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/dos/09.html |access-date=8 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802014002/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/dos/09.html |archive-date=2 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" | Party !! class="unsortable" | Ideology !! data-sort-type=number| 1971 !! data-sort-type=number| 1975 !! data-sort-type=number| 1979 !! data-sort-type=number| 1983 !! data-sort-type=number| 1987 !! data-sort-type=number| 1991 !! data-sort-type=number| 1995 !! data-sort-type=number| 1999 !! data-sort-type=number| 2003 !! data-sort-type=number| 2007 !! data-sort-type=number| 2011 !! data-sort-type=number| 2015
|-
! [[FDP.The Liberals]]{{ref|a|a}}
| bgcolor="{{party color|FDP.The Liberals}}"| || [[Classical liberalism]] || 19.3 || 18.9 || 22.7 || 25.2 || 24.6 || 25.9 || 24.2 || 18.8 || 17.1 || 16.0 || 18.8 || 18.1
|-
! [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP/PDC/PPD/PCD]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland}}"| || [[Christian democracy]] || 61.5 || 59.7 || 58.8 || 57.5 || 58.7 || 54.3 || 54.8 || 51.4 || 47.9 || 44.9 || 39.9 || 39.8
|-
! [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|SP/PS]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Social Democratic Party of Switzerland}}"| || [[Social democracy]] || 15.4 || 17.4 || 11.6 || 14.1 || 14.5 || 14.5 || 16.6 || 16.9 || 19.1 || 14.7 || 14.6 || 13.3
|-
! [[Swiss People's Party|SVP/UDC]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Swiss People's Party}}"| || [[Swiss nationalism]] || * {{ref|b|b}} || * || * || * || * || * || * || 9.0 || 13.4 || 16.6 || 19.7 || 22.1
|-
! [[Liberal Party of Switzerland|LPS/PLS]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Liberal Party of Switzerland}}"| || [[Liberalism and radicalism in Switzerland|Swiss liberalism]] || * || * || 0.8 || * || * || 3.9 || 2.2 || 1.8 || * || 1.0 || * || *
|-
! [[Christian Social Party (Switzerland)|CSP/PCS]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Christian Social Party (Switzerland)}}"| || [[Christian left]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || 1.1 || 0.7 || 1.4
|-
! [[Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland|BDP/PBD]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland}}"| || Conservatism || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || * || 0.6 || *
|-
! [[Swiss Party of Labour|PdA/PST-POP/PC/PSL]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Swiss Party of Labour}}"| || [[Socialism]] || * || * || * || * || * || * || 0.9 || * || * || * || * || *
|-
! [[Green Party of Switzerland|GPS/PES]]
| bgcolor="{{party color|Green Party of Switzerland}}"| || [[Green politics]] || * || * || * || * || 1.7 || 1.3 || 1.3 || 2.1 || 2.6 || 3.9 || 5.0 || 4.9
|-
! Other
| || || 3.8 || 4.0 || 6.2 || 3.2 || 0.6 || * || * || * || * || 1.8 || 0.6 || 0.4
|-
! Voter participation % || || || 67.2 || 66.6 || 65.7 || 65.3 || 59.6 || 60.3 || 55.0 || 52.7 || 53.6 || 59.8 || 61.8 || 59.8
|-
|}
:{{note|a|a}} FDP before 2009, FDP.The Liberals after 2009
:{{note|b|b}} "*" indicates that the party was not on the ballot in this canton.
==
=== Primary sector ===
[[File:Clavau.jpg|thumb|right|Terraced vineyards in the Rhône Valley]]
Wines and [[fruit brandy|fruit brandies]], such as [[Poire Williams]], are some of the main production of the canton. This form of agriculture is often irrigated through the use of small open-air wooden canals<sub>,</sub> called [[Agriculture in Switzerland#Irrigation|''bisses'' in French and ''Suonen'' in German]], that transport water from the glaciers above.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution |title=Switzerland's gravity-defying solution |access-date=2021-08-11 |archive-date=2021-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812031741/https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution |url-status=live }}</ref> They also constitute popular hiking routes because of their low declivity. Vineyards are grown on terraces, typically on the south-facing slopes overlooking the Rhône Valley, where they have become an integral part of the landscape. The wine industry of the canton is the largest in Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-valais Valais Wine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329120301/http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-valais |date=2012-03-29 }} wine-searcher.com</ref> There are also a large number [[orchard]]s in the area, among which are apricot trees. The apricot has become the emblematic fruit of the canton.<ref>[https://www.valais.ch/en/about-valais/local-products/apricots The Prince of the Valais orchard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307172123/https://www.valais.ch/en/about-valais/local-products/apricots |date=2022-03-07 }}, valais.ch</ref> In [[Mund]], [[saffron]] is also gathered.
Agriculture in Valais also consists of cattle breeding in the mountains and [[dairy farming]] in the plains. The canton is notable for its cheese and dried meat production. The [[Hérens cattle]] are also used in organised cow fights.
=== Secondary sector ===
[[File:Barrage de la Grande-Dixence.jpg|thumb|The [[Grande Dixence]] is one of the world's largest dams]]
Europe's tallest [[gravity dam]] is located at [[Grande Dixence Dam|Grande Dixence]] in the canton, closely followed by the [[Mauvoisin Dam]]. [[Hydroelectricity|Hydroelectric]] power plants from the canton produce about a quarter of Swiss electricity.
The west part and the most industrial region of the canton is called [[Chablais]]. The area is very important for the economy. The lands from 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]]. In the town of [[Collombey-Muraz]], there is an [[oil refinery]].
The [[Lonza Group]] has large factories in Visp. Near [[Visp]] there is a large aluminium processing plant. Other metal products and chemicals are produced around Visp and [[Sierre]], including [[Swiss Diamond International]] aluminum cookware.
===
Valais has a long touristic tradition.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} The hotels near the mountain helped the development of Valais Tourism. Many of them, such as [[César Ritz]], spent time and money to satisfy a clientele from around the world.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} The canton is nowadays a year-round destination, renowned for its wild landscapes and numerous tourist facilities. In winter, skiing and other snow-related sports are the most popular activities. In summer, hiking and trekking are particularly popular.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore |url=https://www.valais.ch/en/explore/activities |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=www.valais.ch |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503181742/https://www.valais.ch/en/explore/activities |url-status=live }}</ref> Climbing and mountaineering can be practised year-round, with the highest mountains of western Europe surrounding Valais. Many of the huts owned by the [[Swiss Alpine Club]] are located in the canton.
Valais counts more than 120 winter and summer destinations, including:
* [[Goms (district)]]: [[Fiesch]]-[[Eggishorn]], [[Bellwald]], [[Binn]], [[Ernen]], Obergoms, [[Oberwald]]
* [[Aletsch]] (UNESCO World Heritage): [[Bettmeralp]], Fiescheralp, [[Riederalp]]
* [[Brig-Glis]] and surrounding area: [[Blatten bei Naters|Blatten]], [[Belalp]], [[Mund]], [[Termen]], [[Birgisch]]
* [[Visp]] and surrounding area: [[Visperterminen]], [[Bürchen]], [[Eischoll]], [[Stalden]], [[Törbel]], [[Unterbäch]]
* [[Zermatt]] with [[Matterhorn]] and the largest summer ski area of Switzerland, on the southern slopes of [[Breithorn]] reachable from the cable car station of the [[Klein Matterhorn]]
* [[Saas Valley]]: [[Saas-Fee]], [[Saas-Almagell]], [[Saas-Grund]] with [[Fee Glacier]], the second largest summer ski area in Switzerland
* [[Leukerbad]]
* [[Sierre]], [[Salquenen]] and [[Anniviers]], [[Chandolin]], [[Saint-Luc, Switzerland|St. Luc]], [[Grimentz]], [[Vercorin]], [[Zinal]]
* [[
* [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]] and surrounding area: [[Anzère]], [[Val d'Hérens]], [[Arolla]], [[Euseigne]], [[Evolène]], [[Hérémence]], [[Mase]], [[Saint-Martin (Valais)|Saint-Martin]]
* 4 Vallées ski area: [[Nendaz]], [[Verbier]], [[Veysonnaz]], Thyon-Les Collons, Mayens-de-Riddes/La Tzoumaz
* [[Chablais]] and [[Portes du Soleil]], [[Champéry]], [[Champoussin]], [[Morgins]], [[Les Crosets]], [[Torgon]], [[Val-d'Illiez]], [[Le Bouveret]], [[Saint-Maurice (Valais)|Saint-Maurice]], [[Monthey]], [[Evionnaz]], [[St. Gingolph]]
* St. Bernard Region: [[Les Marécottes]], Bruson, [[La Fouly]], Champex, Vichères-Liddes
The [[Matterhorn]] near [[Zermatt]] and the [[Saas Fee]] valley are considered a major one of the in the Swiss Alps.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web | url=http://www.zermatt.ch/en/mountain-experiences/Excursions-Mountains/Matterhorn-glacier-paradise | title=Matterhorn glacier paradise | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521191015/http://www.zermatt.ch/en/mountain-experiences/Excursions-Mountains/Matterhorn-glacier-paradise | archive-date=2017-05-21}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web | url=http://www.matterhornparadise.ch/en/summer/mountain-adventures/matterhorn-glacier-paradise | title=Explore the Matterhorn Paradise | website=www.matterhornparadise.ch}}</ref> Other parts of the mountains of the canton further west are popular as well,{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} such as the more French-speaking resorts near [[Verbier]] and the [[Evolene]] and [[Arolla]] region. The resorts on the north side of the main Rhône 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 resorts in the [[Goms (district)]] are slightly less known, yet also receive attention during the summer hiking season and the winter [[Skiing|ski]] season.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} Sking and moutain climbing are popular with tourists in the region {{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
{|style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
| [[File:BisseDuTorrentNeufBridge.jpg|thumb|Hikers on the bisse de [[Savièse]]]]
| [[File:Verbier Mont Fort - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Skiers above [[Verbier]]]]
| [[File:Buildings in Zermatt 3.jpg|thumb|Tourists strolling the streets of [[Zermatt]]]]
| [[File:Col Durand.jpg|thumb|Ski mountaineers resting in front of the [[Matterhorn]] and [[Dent d'Hérens]]]]
|}
The {{lang|de|'''Matterhorn'''|italics=no}}<ref group=note>{{IPA|de|ˈmatɐˌhɔʁn|lang|de-Matterhorn.ogg|small=no}}, {{IPA|de-CH|ˈmatərˌhɔrn|lang|small=no|link=yes}}; {{langx|it|Cervino|links=no}} {{IPA|it|tʃerˈviːno|}}; {{langx|fr|Cervin|links=no}} {{IPA|fr|sɛʁvɛ̃|}}; {{langx|rm|Mont(e) Cervin(u)}} {{small|(depending on the [[Romansh dialects|dialect]])}} or {{lang|rm|Matterhorn}} {{IPA|rm|mɐˈtɛrorn|}}; {{langx|frp|Gran Bèca}}; {{langx|wae|Horu}}.</ref> is a {{convert|4478|m|ft}} tall [[mountain]] of the [[Alps]] is near the border between [[Italy]] and [[Switzerland]],<ref group=note>Considering summits with at least 300 metres prominence, it is the 6th highest in the Alps and Europe outside the [[Caucasus Mountains]].</ref> next to the Swiss town of [[Zermatt]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bergbahnen.zermatt.ch/d/medienmitteilung/2005/12/09.html|title=Medienmitteilung 9. Dezember 2005 (Zermatt Bergbahnen)|website=bergbahnen.zermatt.ch|access-date=2025-07-12|archive-date=2006-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211191753/http://bergbahnen.zermatt.ch/d/medienmitteilung/2005/12/09.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/> in the [[canton of Valais]] and the Italian town of [[Breuil-Cervinia]] in the [[Aosta Valley]]. The nearby [[Klein Matterhorn]] is named such as a reference to its much larger neighbour. Both of them are also near 3,295 m (10,810 ft) <ref>Retrieved from the [[Swisstopo]] topographic maps (previously 3,301 m).</ref> [[Theodul Pass]] which is the main passage between the both valleys on its north and south sides. The name Klein Matterhorn" is a reference to its much larger neighbour, the [[Matterhorn]], which lies {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} away across the [[Theodul Pass]].
The Hörnli rout's popularity has led to overcrowding on the several routes have become an issue and guides and local authorities have struggled with how to regulate the numbers. In 2015 the Hörnli hut became the first of the mountain shelters in Europe to limit beds due to over use by tourists.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/14/sports/swiss-move-to-reduce-stress-on-the-matterhorn.html |title=Swiss Move to Reduce Stress on the Matterhorn |first=Kelley |last=McMillan |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117122328/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/14/sports/swiss-move-to-reduce-stress-on-the-matterhorn.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoernlihuette.ch/reservation_46.html|title=Hörnlihütte Zermatt - Reservation|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=16 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516105217/https://www.hoernlihuette.ch/reservation_46.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bote |first=1815 ch, Walliser |date=2018-04-12 |title=Der Wächter des Matterhorns hört auf |url=https://www.1815.ch/rhonezeitung/zeitung/region/der-waechter-des-matterhorns-hoert-auf/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.1815.ch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matterhorn: Hörnlihütte eingeweiht |url=https://www.alpin.de/home/news/25934/www.alpin.de/home/news/9505/artikel_matterhorn__hoernlihuette_wird_eingeweiht.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=ALPIN.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Arnu |first=Titus |date=2015-07-09 |title=Neu eröffnete Hörnlihütte - Schlaflos unterm Matterhorn |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/reise/neu-eroeffnete-hoernlihuette-schlaflos-unterm-matterhorn-1.2554522 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Orth |first=Stephan |date=2015-07-08 |title=Matterhorn-Jubiläum: Kurt Lauber über die Hörnlihütte |url=https://www.spiegel.de/reise/europa/matterhorn-jubilaeum-kurt-lauber-ueber-die-hoernlihuette-a-1042064.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-08 |title=Berggänger rümpfen ob der neuen Hörnlihütte die Nase: Am Matterhorn stinkts! |url=https://www.blick.ch/schweiz/bern/berggaenger-ruempfen-ob-der-neuen-hoernlihuette-die-nase-am-matterhorn-stinkts-id6012596.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Blick |language=de-CH}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thumshirn |first=Christian |date=2015-08-06 |title=24 Stunden Hörnlihütte |url=https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/eine-videoreportage-vom-basiscamp-des-matterhorns-ld.134945 |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Redaktion |first=Climbing de |date=2015-07-13 |title=Zermatt: Die neue Hörnlihütte wird am 14.07.2015 eingeweiht |url=https://www.climbing.de/news/alpin/zermatt-die-neue-hoernlihuette-wird-am-14-07-2015-eingeweiht-47622.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Climbing.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McMillan |first=Kelley |date=2015-07-13 |title=Swiss Move to Reduce Stress on the Matterhorn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/14/sports/swiss-move-to-reduce-stress-on-the-matterhorn.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On the other hand, the [[Solvay Hut]] is located on a ridge at {{convert|4003|m|ft|abbr=on}} can be used only in a case of emergency. It was built in 1917, 52 years after the [[first ascent of the Matterhorn]] via that ridge. It was named after [[Ernest Solvay]], who helped fund construction with a donated 20,000 francs donation in 1904.<ref>[http://www.nzz.ch/magazin/reisen/souveraen_auch_im_fels_1.7346437.html Souverän auch im Fels], [[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20170808/zermatt-celebrates-100-years-of-switzerlands-highest-mountain-cabin|title=Zermatt celebrates 100 years of Switzerland’s highest mountain cabin|date=August 8, 2017|website=The Local Switzerland}}</ref> It was rebuilt in 1966 and the emergency radio-telephone was installed in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/237198/|title=Solvey Hut, shelter for mountaineers: 4,003 meters above ground level|website=PanARMENIAN.Net}}</ref>
There are also sections with fixed ropes on parts of the route to help any climbers using the route, but it must be remembered that some deaths have occurred on this rout over the years.
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
!
! Climbing routes
! Start
! Time of ascent
! Difficulty
|-
| rowspan=4| '''Ridges'''
! Hörnli
| 6 hours
| AD/III-
|-
! Zmutt
| [[Hörnli Hut]] (or [[Schönbiel Hut]])
| 7 hours (10 hours)
| D/IV
|-
! Lion
| [[Refuge Jean-Antoine Carrel|Carrel Hut]]
| 5 hours
| AD+/III
|-
! Furggen
| [[Bivacco Bossi]]
| 7 hours
| TD/V+
|-
| rowspan= "4"| '''Faces'''
! North
| [[Hörnli Hut]]
| 14 hours
| TD/V
|-
! West
| [[Schönbiel Hut]]
| 12 hours
| TD/V+
|-
! South
| [[Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi]]
| 15 hours
| TD+/V+
|-
! East
| [[Hörnli Hut]]
| 14 hours
| TD
|}
{{Clear}}
{|style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
| [[File:Summit.jpg|thumb|View from the summit towards the [[Breithorn]]]]
| [[File:Hörnlihütte weg.jpg|thumb|The trail to the [[Hörnli Hut]]]]
| [[File:Solvay hut at Matterhorn seen from Hörnlihütte.jpg|thumb|The Solvay Hut photographed from [[Hörnli Hut]] with telephoto lens]]
| [[File:Rif-theodulo.jpg|thumb|View of the pass with [[Testa Grigia]] in background from the Theodul hut]]
|}
==Transport==
[[File:Saint-Gingolph vu du ciel.jpg|thumb|[[St. Gingolph, Switzerland|St. Gingolph]] is one of the only two ports on [[Lake Geneva]], and the terminus of the Tonkin Railway]]
The only natural low-elevation access to Valais is via the banks of [[Lake Geneva]], which have several railways and highways leading towards [[Martigny]], [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]], and the rest of the canton. The major axis is on the north side of the lake and passes via [[Lausanne]] and [[Vevey]] in the canton of [[Vaud]]. From there runs the [[A9 motorway (Switzerland)|A9 motorway]] and the [[Simplon Railway]], ultimately leading to Italy via the [[Simplon Pass]] and [[Simplon Tunnel]] respectively. On the south side of Lake Geneva, from the French border, is only a highway and the historical [[Saint-Gingolph–Saint-Maurice railway|Tonkin Railway]], now operating in Valais only.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
The canton is surrounded by high mountains, but some major mountain passes connect it with the rest of Europe. The main road passes are the [[Grimsel Pass|Grimsel]] (towards the canton of [[Canton of Bern|Bern]] and the [[Swiss Plateau]]), the [[Furka Pass|Furka]] (Uri), the [[Nufenen Pass|Nufenen]] (Ticino), the [[Simplon Pass|Simplon]] and the [[Great St. Bernard Pass|Great St. Bernard]] (Italy), and the [[Col de la Forclaz|Forclaz]] and the [[Pas de Morgins|Morgins]] (France). Also notable are the historical and pedestrian passes of the [[Sanetsch Pass|Sanetsch]], [[Rawil Pass|Rawil]], [[Gemmi Pass|Gemmi]], and the [[Lötschberg]], connecting Valais with the Swiss Plateau, through the [[Bernese Oberland]].
[[File:Re485 008-7.jpg|thumb|left|[[BLS AG|BLS]] train descending the summit line of the [[Lötschberg Railway]]]]
The Lötschberg, together with the Simplon, is one of the main north–south axes of Switzerland. The historical [[Lötschberg Railway]] opened in 1913. It connects directly [[Brig railway station|Brig]] to the Swiss Plateau across the [[Bernese Alps]], via [[Spiez railway station|Spiez]] in the canton of Bern, through the high-elevation [[Lötschberg Tunnel]]. In 2007, the importance of that axis was further increased with the opening of the low-elevation [[Lötschberg Base Tunnel]], the first high-speed railway connecting Valais to Bern, following essentially the same route, but at the level of the plains. The Lötschberg Base Tunnel was the longest land tunnel in the world when opened, finally opening up Valais to northern Switzerland.{{cn|date=August 2023}} The summit railway, through the historical tunnel, is still used for regional traffic and car transportation across the Lötschberg. The old train line is popular for its highly scenic sections in both cantons on either side of the old tunnel.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
Another railway axis connects Valais with central and eastern Switzerland. This is a metre-gauge railway owned by the [[Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn]], which ultimately leads to [[Disentis]] and [[Chur]], from [[Zermatt]] via [[Visp railway station|Visp]] and [[Brig railway station|Brig]]. The main railway goes through the [[Furka Base Tunnel]] in the extreme east of the canton, with the older [[Furka Summit Tunnel]] being popular for its highly scenic sections as well. The [[Glacier Express]] directly connects [[Zermatt]] with [[St. Moritz]], using both Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and [[Rhaetian Railway]] network.
[[File:Postauto, Haltestelle Simplon Hospiz, Hospiz.jpg|thumb|A postbus waiting on the summit of the [[Simplon Pass]]]]
The canton comprehends a road network, with elevations ranging from that of Lake Geneva at [[Le Bouveret]] to that of the [[Nufenen Pass]], the highest paved road in Valais. The A9, the only motorway, serves the valley up to [[Sierre]], the extension towards [[Brig-Glis|Brig]] being currently{{when?|date=August 2023}} under construction. All inhabited side valleys are accessible to motorized transport since the 1960s; the high-elevation reservoirs built during those years, notably the [[Grande Dixence]], necessitating paved roads as well. As in most other cantons, localities are essentially served by [[PostBus Switzerland]], which also operates numerous tourist lines on the Alpine passes and to the high-elevation lakes. Martigny, Sion, Sierre and Brig are hubs of public transportation. The winding mountain roads of Valais are very popular with drivers, bikers, and cyclists for their spectacular scenery and are the highlights of competitions such as [[Tour de Suisse]] and the [[Rallye International du Valais]]. For a list of high-elevation paved roads, see [[list of highest paved roads in Switzerland]].
Because of tourism, there are many railways and cable cars in the mountains. Railways serving side valleys are the [[Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway]], the [[Martigny–Orsières Railway]] (notably serving [[Verbier]]), the [[Martigny–Châtelard Railway]] (serving the [[Trient Valley]]) and the [[BVZ Zermatt-Bahn|Visp-Zermatt railway]]. Above [[Zermatt]], the [[Gornergrat Railway]] and the [[Klein Matterhorn]] cable car are respectively the highest open-air railway and highest public transport in Europe.
The Valais has two ports on Lake Geneva served by the [[Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman|CGN]]: [[St. Gingolph, Switzerland|St. Gingolph]] and [[Le Bouveret]]. The largest airport is located at Sion.
==Culture==
{{see also|List of cultural property of national significance in Switzerland: Valais}}
[[File:Combat de reines.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|People gathering at the national [[Combat de Reines|cow fighting]] final]]
The size and particular geographical situation of the canton within the Alps helped Valais develop a culture that is distinct from that of the cantons of the Swiss Plateau and the northern Alpine foothills. As a bilingual canton, Valais itself includes some cultural diversity as well. The most common denominator is a strong mountain culture, symbolized by the archetypal tenacious and austere mountain dweller facing the difficult conditions and dangers of nature.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/18008 |title=Le Valais pittoresque |publisher=Léon Martinet |author=Albert Duruz ("Solandieu") |year=1910 |pages=68 |quote=Le simple montagnard y combat d'une façon merveilleuse l'aridité du terrain. Son caractère tenace et persévérant, joint à une expérience de chaque jour, à l'observation des lieux, et, l'emploi traditionnel de moyens primitifs et ingénieux, a suffi pour réaliser un travail dont la hardiesse nous frappe de respect et d'étonnement. |trans-quote=The simple mountain dweller fights the aridity of the terrain in a marvelous way. His tenacious and persevering character, combined with daily experience, observation of nature, and the traditional use of primitive and ingenious means, was enough to carry out a work whose boldness strikes us with respect and astonishment. |access-date=2022-04-10 |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706084605/http://doc.rero.ch/record/18008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/19720 |title=Le génie des Alpes valaisannes |author=Marie Trolliet ("Mario") |publisher=Attinger frères |year=1893 |pages=235 |quote=Pas rimailleur, le montagnard valaisan ne chante pas, et siffle encore moins. Pour avoir l’âme ouverte à la poésie, sa voix n’en reste pas moins muette. Ni chants de bravoure, ni chants d’armaillis n’égaient les monotonies de sa marche. |trans-quote=Not a rhymester, the Valais mountain dweller does not sing, and whistles even less. To have a soul open to poetry, his voice remains silent. Neither songs of bravery nor songs of armaillis brighten the monotony of his march. |access-date=2022-04-10 |archive-date=2022-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410193140/http://doc.rero.ch/record/19720 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{cquote|The people of Valais, from the warlike races that originally inhabited it, are strong and vigorous; they were able, with their remarkable endurance, to make the most of natural resources, the possession of which today assures them an honorable place as much as they deserve among the other better-off peoples of ancient Helvetia. Through its economic development and its commendable progress in all areas of human activity, Valais, faithful to its traditions as well as to its faith, has managed to keep the austerity of ancestral mores, its customs, its naive legends, its rustic costumes, everything that today constitutes its character and originality.<ref>Albert Duruz ("Solandieu"), ''Légendes valaisannes'', Léon Martinet, Lausanne (1910), translation of "Le peuple du Valais, issu des races guerrières qui l'habitèrent à l'origine, est fort et vigoureux; il a su, avec sa remarquable endurance, tirer tout le parti possible des ressources naturelles, dont la possession lui assure aujourd'hui une place honorable autant que méritée parmi les autres peuples mieux favorisés, de l'antique Helvétie. À travers son évolution économique et ses louables progrès dans tous les domaines de l'activité humaine, le Valais, fidèle à ses traditions comme à sa foi, a su garder l'austérité de mœurs ancestrales, ses coutumes, ses naïves légendes, ses agrestes costumes, tout ce qui, aujourd'hui, constitue son caractère et son originalité."</ref>|author=Solandieu}}
===Monuments===
[[File:Stockalper Palace.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Stockalper Palace]] in Brig]]
Many monuments dot the Valais landscape. The best known are the [[Valère Basilica]], where the oldest organ in the world still playable is found, and the territorial [[Abbey of Saint-Maurice]], which dates from the 6th century. Valais has several castles of historical importance, frequently built in formerly strategic locations: [[Tourbillon Castle]], [[Saint-Maurice Castle]], [[Stockalper Palace]], [[La Bâtiaz Castle]], [[Majorie Castle]], the episcopal [[Leuk Castle]] etc. Amongst religious buildings are several churches that present quality architecture, in particular, those due to the architect Ulrich Ruffiner (16th century) who left many buildings between [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]] and the [[Goms (region)|Goms valley]]: [[Church of St. Théodule, Sion|Saint-Théodule]] church in Sion, the church of [[Raron]] and church of [[Ernen]]. In the valley of Goms, are also several notable baroque churches. Contemporary religious architecture has also given rise to interesting buildings, such as the works of the Genevan architect Jean-Marie Ellenberger (1913-1988) in Sierre (Sainte-Croix church) or Verbier.
In the civil architecture, two hospices, each located at one of the passes leading to Italy, formerly provided food for pilgrims who went to Rome and travelers in general: the [[Great St. Bernard Hospice]] and the [[Simplon Hospice]]. There are also interesting Roman remains, such as the amphitheater in Martigny. Sion is also a major site of European prehistory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sion |url=http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F2802.php |website=hls-dhs-dss.ch |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022617/http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F2802.php |url-status=live }}</ref> In particular, are the dolmens of [[Le Petit-Chasseur]], a group of large collective burials dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Bridges are also an important element of the Valais-built landscape. Due to its mountainous terrain which requires crossing many natural obstacles, the canton has several bridges, old or modern, often daring, including the [[Gueuroz Bridge]] which was once the highest bridge in Europe, and the [[Ganter Bridge]], on the Simplon road.
Visible from central Valais, the statue of Christ the King in [[Lens, Switzerland|Lens]] recalls the Catholic tradition of the canton.
Among the most important museums in the canton, the [[Gianadda Foundation]] in Martigny attracts many visitors from all over Switzerland and neighboring countries. The canton also owns several large museums in Sion, the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, the Cantonal History Museum, and the Cantonal Museum of Natural History. Other museums owned by the canton are the Vine and Wine Museum in [[Salgesch]] and the Museum of Traditions and Boats of Lake Geneva in [[St. Gingolph, Switzerland|St. Gingolph]].
===Gastronomy===
[[File:Brisolée - Fête de la châtaigne.jpg|thumb|A Brisolée served with local products and wine]]
Traditional food products of Valais are wines, cheeses, [[dried meat]], and [[Pain de seigle valaisan|rye bread]]. Wines are essentially produced in the Rhone Valley, but also in the lateral valleys, up to Visperterminen, which has the highest vineyards in the canton. Wines are typically white. Some of the most popular are [[Fendant]], [[Petite Arvine]], [[Humagne Blanche]], [[Syrah]] and [[Pinot Noir]]. The numerous cheeses notably include [[raclette]], which is both a variety of cheese and a dish. Along with [[fondue]], the latter has become an emblematic dish associated with mountain culture. Other dishes of Valais include the [[Cholera (food)|Cholera]], a pastry containing various ingredients, and the {{ill|Brisolée|fr}}, a simple dish consisting of roasted chestnuts eaten along with various local cheeses and charcuterie. The latter is often served in autumn near the chestnut groves of the canton.
==See also==
*
* [[Franco-Provençal language]]
* [[List of mountains of Valais]]
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
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==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Valais}}
*[http://www.
*[http://www.valais.ch/en/home Official information from Valais/Wallis Promotion]
*[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/
{{Cantons of Switzerland}}
{{Switzerland topics}}
{{Portal bar|Switzerland}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Cantons of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Cantons of the Helvetic Republic]]
[[Category:Wine regions of Switzerland]]
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[[Category:States and territories established in 1815]]
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