a canton of S Switzerland: includes the entire valley of the upper Rhône and the highest peaks in Switzerland; produces a quarter of Switzerland's hydroelectricity. Capital: Sion. Pop: 281 000 (2002 est). Area: 5231 sq km (2020 sq miles)
German name: Wallis
Valais in American English
(vaˈlɛ)
canton of SW Switzerland: 2,017 sq mi (5,224 sq km); pop. 270,000