Skip to main content

Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Valais is one of Switzerland’s most striking regions, known for its towering peaks, vast glaciers, and picturesque valleys. The canton, which borders Italy and France, is home to some of the country’s highest mountains, including the Matterhorn and Dufourspitze. These alpine landscapes make Valais a prime destination for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking, drawing visitors year-round.

The region’s economy is deeply tied to both tourism and agriculture. Valais is Switzerland’s leading wine-producing canton, with vineyards stretching along the Rhône Valley. Hydroelectric power is another key industry, with large plants supplying about a quarter of Switzerland’s electricity (Source: Britannica). The Grande Dixence Dam, located in the Hérémence Valley, is one of the world’s tallest gravity dams, standing as a testament to the region’s engineering achievements.

Satellite image: Valais, Switzerland
Valais, Switzerland. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Valais also has a rich historical heritage. Once part of the kingdom of Jurane Burgundy, it later became a territory ruled by the prince-bishops of Sion. Over the centuries, it was influenced by neighboring powers, including the House of Savoy and Napoleonic France, before officially joining the Swiss Confederation in 1815. Today, its culture reflects a mix of French and German influences, with French being the predominant language.

Part of Valais is visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 15 September 2024. Data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites help monitor environmental conditions in alpine regions, supporting sustainable tourism and infrastructure planning.

Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Image: Earth planet in danger - concept (s. climate change, climate anxiety)
Hotter, drier, sicker? How a changing planet drives diseaseNews

Hotter, drier, sicker? How a changing planet drives disease

By Sara HUSSEIN | AFP Bangkok, Thailand - Humans have made our planet warmer, more polluted and ever less hospitable to many species, and these…
SourceSourceMay 10, 2024 Full article
A rocky landscape with tundra plants near the eastern coast of Greenland, similiar to what the interior of the island may have looked like when its massive ice sheet melted away
Greenland fossil discovery reveals increased risk of sea-level catastropheNewsScience

Greenland fossil discovery reveals increased risk of sea-level catastrophe

Seeds, twigs and insect parts in ice core stun scientists and confirm that center of ice sheet melted in recent past. By Joshua Brown |…
SourceSourceAugust 6, 2024 Full article
Satellite image from the Nasa taken and released on January 11, 2025 shows the Cyclone Dikeledi approaching Mayotte
Cyclone-ravaged Mayotte on red alert as it braces for new stormNews

Cyclone-ravaged Mayotte on red alert as it braces for new storm

Mamoudzou, France | AFP Residents of the French territory of Mayotte braced on Saturday for a storm expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain…
SourceSourceJanuary 11, 2025 Full article