Saint-Léonard, Switzerland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saint-Léonard
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 Saint-Léonard
Location in Switzerland
Saint-Léonard
Location in Canton of Valais
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Valais | |
| District | Sierre | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.89 km2 (1.50 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 498 m (1,634 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 2,460 | |
| • Density | 632.4/km2 (1,638/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
1958
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| Surrounded by | Ayent, Grône, Icogne, Lens, Sierre, Sion | |
Saint-Léonard is a small town, also called a municipality, in Switzerland. It is located in the Valais area, specifically in the Sierre district. One of its most famous spots is the Saint-Léonard underground lake, which many tourists love to visit.
Contents
History of Saint-Léonard
Saint-Léonard was first mentioned in old writings in the year 1218. Back then, it was known by a Latin name, apud Sanctum Leonardum. For a while, it was also called St. Leonhard in German. However, that name is not used anymore.
Geography and Landscape
Saint-Léonard covers an area of about 3.9 square kilometers (1.5 square miles). A big part of this land, almost half, is used for farming. About 15% of the area is covered by forests.
The town itself, with its buildings and roads, takes up about 28% of the land. There are also rivers and lakes, making up a small part of the area. Some land is not used for anything, like rocky areas.
Saint-Léonard is in the Sierre district. The original village was built in a special way. It was an unplanned village with houses close together, around a central area. This old village was located near the Lienne river and the Rhone valley. Over time, the town grew and spread out into the valley.
Coat of Arms Meaning
The official symbol of Saint-Léonard is its coat of arms. It shows a green pine tree standing on green hills. Above the tree, there are two golden stars. The background of the shield is blue. This design represents the nature and features of the area.
Population and People
Saint-Léonard has a population of about 2,000 people. In recent years, the number of people living here has grown. This growth is partly because new people have moved to the town.
Most people in Saint-Léonard speak French as their main language. Some also speak German or Portuguese.
The population is made up of slightly more women than men. Many people living in Saint-Léonard were born there or in the same region of Switzerland. About 10% of the people were born outside of Switzerland.
Young people, from babies to teenagers (up to 19 years old), make up about a quarter of the population. Adults are the largest group, and about 15% of the population are seniors (over 64 years old).
Most households in Saint-Léonard have about 2 to 3 people living in them. There are also some households with just one person or with five or more people.
The historical population of Saint-Léonard has grown over many years, as shown in this chart:
Important Historical Sites
One very old and important site in Saint-Léonard is the neolithic rock carving at Crête Des Barmes. This carving was made a very long time ago, in the Stone Age. It is considered a special heritage site for Switzerland.
Local Attractions
Château Sonvillaz is a notable building in the town. It was rebuilt and made new again between 1562 and 1565. Today, it is owned by the Hefti-Rossier family.
Economy and Jobs
In Saint-Léonard, many people have jobs. The economy is divided into three main parts:
- Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming.
- Secondary sector: This involves making things, like in factories, or building things, like houses.
- Tertiary sector: This covers jobs that provide services, such as working in shops, restaurants, or healthcare.
Many people who live in Saint-Léonard travel to other towns for work. Most people use their private cars to get to work, while some use public transportation.
Religion in Saint-Léonard
Most people in Saint-Léonard are Roman Catholic. A smaller number belong to the Swiss Reformed Church or other Christian churches. There are also people who follow Islam or Buddhism. Some people do not belong to any church.
Education and Learning
Many adults in Saint-Léonard have completed their high school education. Some have also gone on to get higher education from a university or a special college.
While some students from other towns come to Saint-Léonard for school, more students from Saint-Léonard go to schools outside the municipality.
Images for kids
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A view of Saint-Léonard in 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Saint-Léonard (Valais) para niños
