Chamoson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chamoson
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 Chamoson
Location in Switzerland
Chamoson
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Conthey | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 32.47 km2 (12.54 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 600-2,500 m (−7,602.1 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 3,986 | |
| • Density | 122.76/km2 (317.95/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1955
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| Surrounded by | Ardon, Bex (VD), Conthey, Leytron, Nendaz, Riddes | |
Chamoson is a lovely town, also called a municipality, located in the Valais canton of Switzerland. It's part of the Conthey district. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes and is a great place to explore.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Chamoson's History
Chamoson has a long history! It was first mentioned way back in the year 1050. Back then, it was known as Camusia. Later, in 1233, people started calling it Scamosun.
Exploring Chamoson's Geography
Chamoson covers an area of about 32.5 square kilometers (12.5 square miles). A big part of this land is covered by forests, about 31%. Another 25% is used for farming, like growing crops or vineyards.
About 7% of the land has buildings and roads. A small part, about 1.7%, is made up of rivers and lakes. The rest, about 35%, is unproductive land, meaning it's too rocky or has too little vegetation to be used for farming or building.
The town is located on the right side of the Rhone River. Chamoson includes a few different settlements: the main town of Chamoson, Saint-Pierre-de-Clages, and Grugnay. It also has a special area called Mayens-de-Chamoson, which is used for summer pastures.
Chamoson's Coat of Arms
Every town has a special symbol, called a coat of arms. Chamoson's coat of arms is divided into four sections. It has a pattern of silver (white) and red squares.
Who Lives in Chamoson? Demographics
Chamoson is home to about 3,034 people (as of 2022). Over the past ten years, the number of people living here has grown quite a bit. Most of this growth is because new people have moved to the town.
Most people in Chamoson speak French as their main language. A smaller number speak German or Portuguese.
In 2008, about 48.5% of the people living in Chamoson were male, and 51.5% were female. Many people, about 53.6%, were born right in Chamoson. Others moved here from different parts of Switzerland or from other countries.
When it comes to age, about 21.9% of the population are children and teenagers (0-19 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) make up about 58.7% of the population. Seniors (over 64 years old) make up about 19.4%.
The population of Chamoson has grown steadily over the years:
- In 1850, there were 1,140 people.
- By 1900, it grew to 1,731 people.
- In 1950, the population was 2,053.
- By 2000, it reached 2,497 people.
Important Historical Sites: Heritage
Chamoson is home to some very important historical places. The Church of St-Pierre and its old priory (a type of monastery) are listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. This means they are very important to Switzerland's history and culture.
The village of Saint-Pierre de Clages itself is also recognized as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.
How People Make a Living: Economy
In 2010, Chamoson had an unemployment rate of 6.9%. Many people in Chamoson work in different areas.
- Primary Sector: About 423 people work in the primary sector, which mainly involves agriculture. This includes farming and growing things like grapes for wine.
- Secondary Sector: Around 272 people work in the secondary sector. This involves making things, like in factories, or building things, like houses and roads.
- Tertiary Sector: About 370 people work in the tertiary sector, which provides services. This includes jobs in shops, restaurants, transportation, healthcare, and education.
Many people who live in Chamoson travel to other towns for work. About 73% of working people use a private car to get to their jobs.
Beliefs and Faith: Religion
Most people in Chamoson are Roman Catholic, making up about 85.6% of the population. A smaller number, about 5%, belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
There are also a few people who follow other Christian faiths, like Orthodox Christianity or other Christian churches. A small number of people are Islamic or Buddhist. Some people do not belong to any church or have no specific religion.
Learning and Schools: Education
Education is important in Chamoson. About 32.8% of the population has completed upper secondary education, which is like high school. About 9.3% have gone on to higher education, like a university or a specialized college.
Chamoson has its own library called the Bibliothèque communale et scolaire. In 2008, this library had over 9,400 books and other media. It loaned out more than 30,000 items that year, showing how much people use it for learning and fun!
See also
In Spanish: Chamoson para niños
