The
Canton of Valais (; , ) is one of the 26
cantons of Switzerland, situated 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. 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 up on the highest peaks found in Switzerland. The canton of Valais is widely known for the
Matterhorn and resort towns such as
Saas Fee,
Verbier, and
Zermatt. It is composed of 13 districts (hence the 13 stars on the flag) and its capital is
Sion.