VALAIS (Germ. Wallis), a canton of Switzerland, bounded on the N. by those of Vaud and Bern, E. by those of Uri and Ticino; S.E. and S. by the Sardinian monarchy, and W. by Savoy. Its length from N.E. to S.W. is 57 miles; its breadth 37, and its area 1658 square miles. It consists chiefly of a long valley, traversed by the Rhone, and bounded on each side by chains of the Alps,—the Bernese Alps on the N., the Pennine on the S., and the Lepontine on the S.E. The Lepontine and Bernese Alps are connected, at the E. extremity of the canton, with the group of St Gotthard, by the Gallenstock, Furka, and Matterhorn, and in a glacier near this point the Rhone takes its rise. These ranges, which bound Valais, present some of the loftiest pinnacles of the Alps; among which are, in the Pennine Alps, Monte Rosa, the second mountain in Europe, 15,540 feet high; Mont Cervin, or Matterhorn, 14,748 feet; and Great St Bernard, 11,011 feet; in the Lepontine Alps, Furka, 14,040 feet; and in the Bernese Alps, Finsteraarhorn, 14,116 feet; and Jungfrauhorn, 13,720 feet. The slope of the Bernese Alps towards the south is much more steep than that of the Pennine and Lepontine chains to the north; and hence, as they all send out minor branches, forming transverse valleys; those to the south of the main valley are considerably longer than those to the north of it. The Rhone flows at first in a S.W. and then in a N.W. direction, entering the lake of Geneva at its eastern extremity. It receives numerous affluents from the valleys on either side, some of which are upwards of 20 miles in length. The level ground in the valley of the Rhone is very small, being only from a quarter of a mile to 3 miles in breadth. About half the surface of the canton is estimated to consist of high mountains and glaciers; and of the remainder a large portion is occupied with narrow valleys, and hills of less but still considerable elevation. These vales differ very much in their character; some of them are stony and marshy, and others sterile; but some have valuable meadows and land, which, when cultivated, yield abundant crops. Where the elevation is not very great, the mountain-slopes are covered with extensive forests, the timber of which is largely used for fuel and for building. Maize and wines, with pomegranates, figs, mulberries, and other fruits of warm regions, grow in the lower parts of the country, while higher up the productions of colder climates flourish. There are few places where within such narrow limits the most opposite kinds of climate and vegetation are to be found. The heat in summer is often excessive, but violent and sudden changes are frequent, and to them is partly attributed the prevalence of fevers and of cretinism in the country. The principal source of wealth to the canton are the pastures on which large numbers of cattle and sheep are reared. Valais contained, in 1854, 4565 horses; 55,270 horned cattle of all kinds, including 21,000 milch cows; 44,507 sheep, 24,383 goats, and 9351 swine. The corn grown is chiefly barley and oats; and it is, in general, sufficient for the home consumption. In some of the valleys wine of excellent quality, and in others cider, is made. Mines of iron, copper, lead, silver, and zinc, exist in the canton. There are no manufactures, except of articles for domestic use, which each family provide for themselves. But the transit trade is pretty active, on account of the canton being situated near the great lines of communication across the Alps. The in-
Valckenaer inhabitants are partly of German, partly of French, and partly of Italian origin, and speak corrupt dialects of these several languages. They are almost all of the Roman Catholic church, and public education is entirely in the hands of the Jesuits. The canton forms the diocese of Sion or Sitten, and has 107 parishes and 9 convents. The country is divided into 13 districts, called dirains; each of which has its separate council for the management of local affairs, and sends four members to the diet or legislature of the canton. The executive council of seven members is appointed by the diet. The suffrage is vested in all the male inhabitants above the age of eighteen. Valais is represented by two members in the council of states, and by four in the National Council of Switzerland; and it is bound to furnish a contingent of 1280 men to the army of the confederation. The capital is Sitten, a small town of 3516 inhabitants, on the Simplon road. Pop. (1850) 81,559.