Home > Facts > Geography Facts > Valley Facts

Valley Facts

Valley Facts
A valley is a landform that is situated between two hills or mountains and is longer than it is wide. Valleys are either U-shaped or V-shaped and their shape and type is characterized by their formation. Some valleys have rivers running through them, and are referred to as river valleys. A vale is a particularly wide river valley. Glacial valleys are formed by glaciers, and are usually U-shaped. Hanging valleys are higher than the main valley and often create beautiful waterfalls at their outlet. Giant valleys are formed when the earth's crust splits or separates, and hollows are small valleys between hills or mountains.
Interesting Valley Facts:
When water flows from a mountain, the steeper it is the faster the water flows, and the deeper the valley it is that is created.
The water flowing from the mountain to create the valley is from rain, snow, and melting ice. This water carves away at the mountain and the earth below for millions of years to create valleys.
Large valleys created by glaciers are U-shaped, created over many thousands or millions of years as the large sheets of ice move down a mountain. These glaciers often follow a river valley, and change its shape from V to U.
When a valley is not created by a river or glacier it is usually just because two plates don't completely touch.
The weather in a valley is often protected from harsh storms and winds, but many are susceptible to flooding.
Famous V-shaped valleys include Iao Valley in Hawaii, and the Muretto Pass in the Swiss Alps.
Famous wider valleys in hilly country include the Loire Valley in France, the Moselle River Valley in Germany, and the Uruguay River Valley in Argentina.
Flat country valleys tend to be almost flat, often with rivers. Examples of these types of valleys include the Nile River Valley, the Euphrates Valley in Iraq, the Danube Valley in Romania, and the Ganges River Valley at Varanasi.
Famous valleys made by glaciers include the Mattertal in Switzerland, and the Fjaerland Fjord in Norway.
When valleys sink below sea level they become sunken valleys. Their shape makes a good harbour. An example of a well-known sunken valley is Sydney Harbour in Australia.
Very narrow valleys with high side walls are often referred to as gorges.
Valleys that are deep and wide are referred to as canyons. Famous canyons include the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Sharyn River Canyon in Kazakhstan, Foz de Arbayún in Spain, and the Three Sisters Canyon in Megalong Valley, Australia.
Rift valleys are created when the tectonic plates under the earth's surface expand the crust. The Albertine Rift in Africa is an example of a rift valley surrounded by mountains on its sides.
Famous valleys in the United States include Central Valley, California; Death Valley, California; the Grand Canyon, Arizona; Hudson Valley, New York; Las Vegas Valley, Nevada; Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, Utah; Rio Grande Valley, Texas; Silicon Valley, California; and Valley of the Gods.
Famous valleys in other countries include Danube Valley, Eastern Europe; Great Glen, Scotland; Hell's Gate, Canada; Hunza Valley, Pakistan; Iron Gate, Romania/Serbia; Kathmandu, Nepal; Loire Valley, France; and the Nile Valley in Egypt/Sudan/Uganda/Ethiopia.


Related Links:
Facts
Geography Facts
Animals Facts