Port-Valais facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port-Valais
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Port-Valais dock
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 Port-Valais
Location in Switzerland
Port-Valais
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Monthey | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 14.35 km2 (5.54 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 390 m (1,280 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 4,283 | |
| • Density | 298.47/km2 (773.0/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1897
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| Localities | Le Bouveret, Les Evouettes | |
| Surrounded by | Chessel (VD), Noville (VD), Saint-Gingolph, Vevey (VD), Vouvry | |
Port-Valais is a town in Switzerland. It's located in the Valais canton, which is a French-speaking area. Port-Valais is part of the Monthey district. It sits right where the Rhone River flows into Lake Geneva. The town includes the villages of Le Bouveret and Les Evouettes.
Contents
History of Port-Valais
Port-Valais was first written about in the year 1180. Back then, it was called ad porvalesium. For a while, it also had a German name, Portwallis, but that name is not used anymore.
Geography and Location
Port-Valais covers an area of about 14.4 square kilometers (about 5.5 square miles). A large part of this land, over half, is covered by forests. About a quarter of the land is used for farming. The rest of the land has buildings, roads, rivers, or lakes.
The town is located at the mouth of the Rhone River, where it flows into Lake Geneva. This makes it a special place with both river and lake access. Port-Valais is made up of the villages of Le Bouveret and Les Evouettes, plus a smaller area also called Port-Valais.
Port-Valais Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for Port-Valais has a special design. It shows a blue top section with golden scales and four golden stars. The bottom section is black and features a silver anchor.
Population and People
Port-Valais has a population of about 3,178 people. A good number of these residents, about 28%, are people from other countries.
Most people in Port-Valais speak French as their main language. German is the second most common language, followed by English.
The population is split almost evenly between males and females. About 25% of the population are children and teenagers (under 19 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) make up about 63% of the population, and seniors (over 64 years old) are about 11%.
The population of Port-Valais has grown quite a bit over the years. This chart shows how the population has changed:
Economy and Jobs
In 2010, the unemployment rate in Port-Valais was about 4.4%. Many people living in Port-Valais work in different types of jobs.
- Primary Sector: This includes jobs like farming and fishing. A small number of people work in this area.
- Secondary Sector: This involves jobs in manufacturing, mining, and construction. More people work here than in the primary sector.
- Tertiary Sector: This is the largest job sector. It includes jobs in sales, transportation, hotels, restaurants, education, and healthcare.
Many people who live in Port-Valais travel to other towns for work. About 8.5% of workers use public transportation, while most, about 74%, drive their own cars.
Religion in Port-Valais
Based on a 2000 study, most people in Port-Valais are Roman Catholic. A good number also belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also smaller groups of people who follow other Christian faiths, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. About 10% of the population do not belong to any church.
Education and Schools
Many people in Port-Valais have finished their high school education. Some have also gone on to get higher education from a university or a specialized college.
In 2000, a few students from other towns came to Port-Valais for school. However, more students from Port-Valais went to schools outside the town.
See also
In Spanish: Port-Valais para niños
