Vallée du Rhône, U-shaped valley in Valais and Vaud, Switzerland.
The Rhone Valley is a U-shaped valley floor framed by steep mountain walls on either side. Multiple settlements sit along this flat bottom, with the river flowing through the heart of the landscape.
Glacial action during ice ages carved the valley's distinctive U-shape and steep walls. The river that flows through it shaped the landscape over thousands of years into the formation we see today.
The valley supports extensive vineyards and orchards where apricots thrive in the warm, dry conditions. These agricultural practices have shaped how locals live and use the land for centuries.
The valley floor is easy to navigate, with rail lines and highways running through the main settlements. The good connections make it simple to move through the area and reach other Swiss regions.
The area receives less than half the rainfall of the Swiss plateau, making it the driest region in the country. Strong föhn winds that blow through regularly add to this dry condition and create an unusual climate found nowhere else in Switzerland.
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