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Coordinates: 46°7′N 7°30′E / 46.117°N 7.500°E / 46.117; 7.500
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{{About|the Swiss municipality|the breed of cattle|Évolène (cattle)}}
{{About|the Swiss municipality|the breed of cattle|Évolène (cattle)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox Swiss town
{{Infobox Swiss town
| subject_name = Evolène
| subject_name = Evolène
| image_photo = Evolene.jpg
| image_photo = Evolene.jpg
| municipality_name = Evolène
| municipality_type = municipality
| municipality_type = municipality
| imagepath_coa = Evolène-coat of arms.png|pixel_coa=
| imagepath_coa = CHE Evolène COA.svg
| imagepath_flag = CHE Evolène Flag.svg
| map =
| languages = French
| canton = Valais
| canton = Valais
| iso-code-region = CH-VS
| iso-code-region = CH-VS
| district = [[Hérens (district)|Hérens]]
| district = [[Hérens (district)|Hérens]]
|coordinates = {{coord|46|7|N|7|30|E|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|46|7|N|7|30|E|display=inline,title}}
|lat_NS=N|long_EW=E
| postal_code = 1983
| postal_code = 1983
| municipality_code = 6083
| municipality_code = 6083
Line 20: Line 17:
| population = 1559|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
| population = 1559|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
| website = www.commune-evolene.ch
| website = www.commune-evolene.ch
| mayor = Damien Métrailler |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
| mayor = Virginie Gaspoz |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
| mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
| mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
| places = Evolène, [[Arolla]], [[Ferpècle]], [[La Forclaz]], La Gouille, [[Les Haudères]], Lannaz, La Sage, La Tour, Villaz
| places = Evolène, [[Arolla]], [[Ferpècle]], La Forclaz, La Gouille, [[Les Haudères]], Lannaz, La Sage, La Tour, Villa
| demonym =
| demonym =
| neighboring_municipalities= [[Ayer, Switzerland|Ayer]], [[Bagnes]], [[Bionaz]] (IT-AO), [[Grimentz]], [[Hérémence]], [[Saint-Martin, Valais|Saint-Martin]], [[Zermatt]]
| neighboring_municipalities= [[Ayer, Switzerland|Ayer]], [[Bagnes]], [[Bionaz]] (IT-AO), [[Grimentz]], [[Hérémence]], [[Saint-Martin, Valais|Saint-Martin]], [[Zermatt]]
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'''Evolène''' is a [[Municipalities of Switzerland|municipality]] in the district of [[Hérens (district)|Hérens]] in the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Valais]] in [[Switzerland]].
'''Evolène''' is a [[Municipalities of Switzerland|municipality]] in the district of [[Hérens (district)|Hérens]] in the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Valais]] in [[Switzerland]].


It includes the villages of Lannaz, [[Les Haudères]], La Sage/Villa(z), La Forclaz, [[Arolla]] and [[Ferpècle]].
It includes the villages of Evolène, [[Les Haudères]], La Sage, Villa, La Forclaz, and [[Arolla]], the hamlets of Lannaz and La Tour, and the hollow of [[Ferpècle]].


==History==
==History==
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Evolène is first mentioned in 1250 as ''Ewelina''. In 1444 it was mentioned as ''in loco de Evolena''.<ref name=HDS/>
Evolène is first mentioned in 1250 as ''Ewelina''. In 1444 it was mentioned as ''in loco de Evolena''.<ref name=HDS/>
The municipality was formed in 1882 by division of Hérens municipality into Evolène and [[Saint-Martin, Valais|Saint-Martin]].
The municipality was formed in 1882 by division of Hérens municipality into Evolène and [[Saint-Martin, Valais|Saint-Martin]].
The [[blazon]] of the municipal [[coat of arms]] is ''Azure, issuant from a base Vert a mountain Argent, in chief dexter two Mullets of Five and a bird vollant all Or.''<ref>[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ch-vs047.html Flags of the World.com] accessed 7 September 2011</ref>
The [[blazon]] of the municipal [[coat of arms]] is ''Azure, issuant from a base Vert a mountain Argent, in chief dexter two Mullets of Five and a bird vollant all Or.''<ref>[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ch-vs047.html Flags of the World.com]. Retrieved 7 September 2011</ref>


=== Avalanches of 21 February 1999 ===
=== Avalanches of 21 February 1999 ===
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The amount of snow that fell during the end of January and the month of February was huge. In spite of this, the snow was able to retain cohesion due to favourable, relatively constant temperature. The situation, however, worsened on the Thursday the 18th, three days before the drama. Weather reports indicated that temperatures were set to rise and between Thursday night and Friday morning, the temperature rose 5 degrees Celsius. This rapid rise caused a mixing between the old and the new layers of snow. In this state, the risk of an avalanche was considered to be at level 3, on a scale of 5. The situation was still not considered to be critical and therefore it was not seen as necessary to instigate any emergency measures. On Saturday 20 February, the avalanche danger was increased to level 4 due to between {{convert|20|and|30|cm|in|sp=us}} of fresh snow that fell on the older, established layers, meaning that the possibility of the new layer literally sliding off the older layer (after slight melting) increased. The temperature remained constant between Saturday (20th) and Sunday 21 February, until midday on Sunday when it began to rapidly rise due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
The amount of snow that fell during the end of January and the month of February was huge. In spite of this, the snow was able to retain cohesion due to favourable, relatively constant temperature. The situation, however, worsened on the Thursday the 18th, three days before the drama. Weather reports indicated that temperatures were set to rise and between Thursday night and Friday morning, the temperature rose 5 degrees Celsius. This rapid rise caused a mixing between the old and the new layers of snow. In this state, the risk of an avalanche was considered to be at level 3, on a scale of 5. The situation was still not considered to be critical and therefore it was not seen as necessary to instigate any emergency measures. On Saturday 20 February, the avalanche danger was increased to level 4 due to between {{convert|20|and|30|cm|in|sp=us}} of fresh snow that fell on the older, established layers, meaning that the possibility of the new layer literally sliding off the older layer (after slight melting) increased. The temperature remained constant between Saturday (20th) and Sunday 21 February, until midday on Sunday when it began to rapidly rise due to prolonged exposure to the sun.


At precisely 8.27 pm, the first two avalanches were set off on the slopes above Villaz, at an altitude around {{convert|2600|m|ft|abbr=on}}. They were a combination of fresh powder snow and established spring snow and demolished all trees and chalets in their path, as well as the people unlucky enough to be in the chalets at the time. The two avalanches continued to run along the extremities of Villaz and eventually formed as one massive fusion of snow and debris reaching up to {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} high that came to rest {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} down the slope, after taking 12 lives and cutting off the main road between Evolène and des Haudères.
At precisely 8.27 pm, the first two avalanches were set off on the slopes above Villa, at an altitude around {{convert|2600|m|ft|abbr=on}}. They were a combination of fresh powder snow and established spring snow and demolished all trees and chalets in their path, as well as the people unlucky enough to be in the chalets at the time. The two avalanches continued to run along the extremities of Villa and eventually formed as one massive fusion of snow and debris reaching up to {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} high that came to rest {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} down the slope, after taking 12 lives and cutting off the main road between Evolène and des Haudères.


[[File:Vue sur Les Hauderes.jpg|thumb|600px|center|Les Haudères, Val d'Hérens, Valais, Suisse (sept. 2007)]]
[[File:Vue sur Les Hauderes.jpg|thumb|600px|center|Les Haudères, Val d'Hérens, Valais, Suisse (sept. 2007)]]
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The commune is made up of several close-lying villages. The main village is Evolène, fortunately situated on a plateau above the river (to avoid flooding of the river), as well as being protected from avalanches by a surrounding forest. Thanks to its favourable position, Evolène was quickly established as the safest village to expand and therefore has become the biggest village in the commune.
The commune is made up of several close-lying villages. The main village is Evolène, fortunately situated on a plateau above the river (to avoid flooding of the river), as well as being protected from avalanches by a surrounding forest. Thanks to its favourable position, Evolène was quickly established as the safest village to expand and therefore has become the biggest village in the commune.


Other villages that make up the Evolène commune, such as Arolla, les Haudères, La Sage, La Forclaz and Villaz do not benefit from the same level of natural protection as Evolène and are therefore exposed to more risks and have thus become less desirable to develop. The small village of les Haudères is closely situated to Evolène, at the very extremity of Val d'Hérens. The even smaller villages of Villaz and La Sage are found about {{convert|300|m|ft|sp=us}} up from Evolène. Orientated towards the South, Villaz and La Sage benefit from generous sunlight hours. They are also situated near large Swiss mountain meadows which extend up to an altitude of {{convert|2700|m|ft|sp=us}}.
Other villages that make up the Evolène commune, such as Arolla, les Haudères, La Sage, La Forclaz and Villa do not benefit from the same level of natural protection as Evolène and are therefore exposed to more risks and have thus become less desirable to develop. The small village of les Haudères is closely situated to Evolène, at the very extremity of Val d'Hérens. The even smaller villages of Villa and La Sage are found about {{convert|300|m|ft|sp=us}} up from Evolène. Orientated towards the South, Villa and La Sage benefit from generous sunlight hours. They are also situated near large Swiss mountain meadows which extend up to an altitude of {{convert|2700|m|ft|sp=us}}.
The villages of Evolène and Les Haudères and the hamlet of Lana are part of the [[Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.html |title=Kantonsliste A-Objekte |year=2009 |work=KGS Inventar |publisher=Federal Office of Civil Protection |language=German |accessdate=25 April 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628110559/http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.html |archivedate=28 June 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
The villages of Evolène and Les Haudères and the hamlet of Lana are part of the [[Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.html |title=Kantonsliste A-Objekte |year=2009 |work=KGS Inventar |publisher=Federal Office of Civil Protection |language=German |accessdate=25 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628110559/http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/internet/bs/de/home/themen/kgs/kgs_inventar/a-objekte.html |archivedate=28 June 2010 }}</ref>


===Climate===
===Climate===
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = Evolène (1981-2010)
|location = Evolène, elevation {{convert|1825|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020)
|metric first = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|single line = Yes
| Jan high C = 0.5
| Jan high C = 0.7
| Feb high C = 0.7
| Feb high C = 0.9
| Mar high C = 3.6
| Mar high C = 4.4
| Apr high C = 7.0
| Apr high C = 8.0
| May high C = 11.4
| May high C = 11.8
| Jun high C = 14.8
| Jun high C = 15.7
| Jul high C = 17.7
| Jul high C = 18.0
| Aug high C = 17.0
| Aug high C = 17.5
| Sep high C = 13.6
| Sep high C = 13.7
| Oct high C = 10.1
| Oct high C = 10.1
| Nov high C = 4.4
| Nov high C = 4.7
| Dec high C = 1.6
| Dec high C = 1.8
| year high C = 8.5
| year high C = 8.9
| Jan mean C = -2.8
| Jan mean C = -2.6
| Feb mean C = -2.9
| Feb mean C = -2.8
| Mar mean C = -0.6
| Mar mean C = 0.0
| Apr mean C = 2.2
| Apr mean C = 3.1
| May mean C = 6.6
| May mean C = 6.9
| Jun mean C = 9.8
| Jun mean C = 10.6
| Jul mean C = 12.5
| Jul mean C = 12.7
| Aug mean C = 12.1
| Aug mean C = 12.6
| Sep mean C = 8.8
| Sep mean C = 8.9
| Oct mean C = 5.6
| Oct mean C = 5.7
| Nov mean C = 0.6
| Nov mean C = 1.0
| Dec mean C = -1.9
| Dec mean C = -1.6
| year mean C = 4.2
| year mean C = 4.5
| Jan low C = -5.8
| Jan low C = -5.5
| Feb low C = -6.1
| Feb low C = -6.0
| Mar low C = -4.2
| Mar low C = -3.5
| Apr low C = -1.5
| Apr low C = -0.8
| May low C = 2.7
| May low C = 2.9
| Jun low C = 5.5
| Jun low C = 6.3
| Jul low C = 7.9
| Jul low C = 8.2
| Aug low C = 8.1
| Aug low C = 8.6
| Sep low C = 5.1
| Sep low C = 5.3
| Oct low C = 2.2
| Oct low C = 2.3
| Nov low C = -2.5
| Nov low C = -2.1
| Dec low C = -4.9
| Dec low C = -4.6
| year low C = 0.5
| year low C = 0.9
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 50
|Jan precipitation mm = 49.3
| Feb precipitation mm = 41
|Feb precipitation mm = 39.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 47
|Mar precipitation mm = 41.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 52
|Apr precipitation mm = 50.0
| May precipitation mm = 79
|May precipitation mm = 81.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 79
|Jun precipitation mm = 80.9
| Jul precipitation mm = 81
|Jul precipitation mm = 88.3
| Aug precipitation mm = 79
|Aug precipitation mm = 84.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 59
|Sep precipitation mm = 54.6
| Oct precipitation mm = 59
|Oct precipitation mm = 54.1
| Nov precipitation mm = 55
|Nov precipitation mm = 54.6
| Dec precipitation mm = 54
|Dec precipitation mm = 55.4
| year precipitation mm = 736
|year precipitation mm = 733.7
| Jan snow cm = 56.4
| Jan snow cm = 56.4
| Feb snow cm = 57.7
| Feb snow cm = 57.7
Line 129: Line 126:
| May snow cm = 9.2
| May snow cm = 9.2
| Jun snow cm = 0.3
| Jun snow cm = 0.3
| Jul snow cm = 0
| Jul snow cm = 0.0
| Aug snow cm = 0.1
| Aug snow cm = 0.1
| Sep snow cm = 1.6
| Sep snow cm = 1.6
| Oct snow cm = 12.4
| Oct snow cm = 12.4
| Nov snow cm = 42.8
| Nov snow cm = 42.8
| Dec snow cm = 54
| Dec snow cm = 54.0
| year snow cm = 311.5
| year snow cm = 311.5
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 8.2
| Jan precipitation days = 7.8
| Feb precipitation days = 7.2
| Feb precipitation days = 7.0
| Mar precipitation days = 8.6
| Mar precipitation days = 7.6
| Apr precipitation days = 7.5
| Apr precipitation days = 7.8
| May precipitation days = 11.1
| May precipitation days = 11.4
| Jun precipitation days = 10.3
| Jun precipitation days = 10.9
| Jul precipitation days = 10.3
| Jul precipitation days = 11.0
| Aug precipitation days = 11.0
| Aug precipitation days = 11.2
| Sep precipitation days = 8.3
| Sep precipitation days = 7.9
| Oct precipitation days = 7.4
| Oct precipitation days = 7.5
| Nov precipitation days = 7.5
| Nov precipitation days = 7.7
| Dec precipitation days = 8.2
| Dec precipitation days = 8.4
| year precipitation days = 105.6
| year precipitation days = 106.2
|unit snow days = 1.0 cm
|unit snow days = 1.0 cm
| Jan snow days = 7.9
| Jan snow days = 7.9
| Feb snow days = 8.7
| Feb snow days = 8.7
| Mar snow days = 8
| Mar snow days = 8.0
| Apr snow days = 5.4
| Apr snow days = 5.4
| May snow days = 1.5
| May snow days = 1.5
| Jun snow days = 0.2
| Jun snow days = 0.2
| Jul snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.1
| Aug snow days = 0.1
| Sep snow days = 0.4
| Sep snow days = 0.4
Line 164: Line 161:
| Dec snow days = 8.7
| Dec snow days = 8.7
| year snow days = 49.8
| year snow days = 49.8
| Jan humidity = 55
| Jan humidity = 56
| Feb humidity = 58
| Feb humidity = 58
| Mar humidity = 61
| Mar humidity = 60
| Apr humidity = 65
| Apr humidity = 63
| May humidity = 69
| May humidity = 69
| Jun humidity = 71
| Jun humidity = 70
| Jul humidity = 68
| Jul humidity = 67
| Aug humidity = 69
| Aug humidity = 68
| Sep humidity = 70
| Sep humidity = 70
| Oct humidity = 65
| Oct humidity = 65
| Nov humidity = 63
| Nov humidity = 62
| Dec humidity = 58
| Dec humidity = 58
| year humidity = 64
| year humidity = 64
| Jan sun = 109
|Jan sun = 110.3
| Feb sun = 115
|Feb sun = 119.5
| Mar sun = 146
|Mar sun = 158.9
| Apr sun = 150
|Apr sun = 163.8
| May sun = 170
|May sun = 178.2
| Jun sun = 183
|Jun sun = 192.2
| Jul sun = 211
|Jul sun = 211.6
| Aug sun = 193
|Aug sun = 194.0
| Sep sun = 168
|Sep sun = 169.0
| Oct sun = 144
|Oct sun = 142.6
| Nov sun = 106
|Nov sun = 103.6
| Dec sun = 99
|Dec sun = 96.4
| year sun = 1795
|year sun = 1840.1
| Jan percentsun = 58
⚫
|source 1 = MeteoSwiss <ref name=MeteoSwiss>{{cite web
| Feb percentsun = 58
|url=http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/web/en/climate/swiss_climate/tabellen.html
| Mar percentsun = 57
|title=Climate Norm Value Tables
| Apr percentsun = 52
|work=Climate diagrams and normals from Swiss measuring stations
| May percentsun = 48
⚫
|publisher=Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss)
| Jun percentsun = 50
|accessdate=31 January 2013
| Jul percentsun = 55
|deadurl=yes
| Aug percentsun = 57
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514205349/http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/web/en/climate/swiss_climate/tabellen.html
| Sep percentsun = 59
|archivedate=14 May 2013
| Oct percentsun = 60
|df=dmy
| Nov percentsun = 54
}} The weather station elevation is 1,825 meters above sea level.</ref>
| Dec percentsun = 54
| year percentsun = 55
| source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA1>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241211094911/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/5.5/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Switzerland/CSV/EvoleneVilla_06722.csv
| archive-date = 11 December 2024
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/5.5/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Switzerland/CSV/EvoleneVilla_06722.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 11 December 2024}}</ref>
⚫
|source 2 = [[MeteoSwiss]] (snow 1981–2010)<ref name=MeteoSwiss>{{cite web
| url = https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/product/output/climate-data/climate-diagrams-normal-values-station-processing/EVO/climsheet_EVO_np9120_e.pdf
| title = Climate Normals Evolène / Villa (Reference period 1991−2020)
⚫
| publisher = Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss
| format = PDF
| access-date = 26 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=MeteoSwiss1981>{{cite web
| url = https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/product/output/climate-data/climate-diagrams-normal-values-station-processing/EVO/climsheet_EVO_np8110_e.pdf
| title = Climate Normals Evolène / Villa (Reference period 1981−2010)
| publisher = Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss
| format = PDF
| access-date = 26 January 2022}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
|date=August 2010
}}
}}
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[[File:Evolène downtown.jpg|thumb|Evolène town]]
[[File:Evolène downtown.jpg|thumb|Evolène town]]
[[File:View from the first part of the via ferrata2.jpg|thumb|View from above of Evolène]]
[[File:View from the first part of the via ferrata2.jpg|thumb|View from above of Evolène]]
Evolène has a population ({{as of|{{Swiss populations YM|CH-VS}}|lc=on}}) of {{Swiss populations|CH-VS|6083}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-VS}} {{as of|2008}}, 7.7% of the population are resident foreign nationals.<ref name=HDS_superweb>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Superweb database - Gemeinde Statistics 1981-2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628151016/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html |date=28 June 2010 }} {{de icon}} accessed 19 June 2010</ref> Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of 5.5%. It has changed at a rate of 2.3% due to migration and at a rate of 1.6% due to births and deaths.<ref name=SFSO>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105172441/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html |date=5 January 2016 }} accessed 7 September 2011</ref>
Evolène has a population ({{as of|{{Swiss populations YM|CH-VS}}|lc=on}}) of {{Swiss populations|CH-VS|6083}}.{{Swiss populations ref|CH-VS}} {{as of|2008}}, 7.7% of the population are resident foreign nationals.<ref name=HDS_superweb>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Superweb database - Gemeinde Statistics 1981-2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628151016/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/infothek/onlinedb/superweb/login.html |date=28 June 2010 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 19 June 2010</ref> Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of 5.5%. It has changed at a rate of 2.3% due to migration and at a rate of 1.6% due to births and deaths.<ref name=SFSO>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105172441/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html |date=5 January 2016 }} Retrieved 7 September 2011</ref>


Most of the population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) speaks [[French language|French]] (1,471 or 96.6%) as their first language, [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the second most common (20 or 1.3%) and [[German language|German]] is the third (13 or 0.9%). There are 7 people who speak [[Italian language|Italian]].<ref name=STAT2000/>
Most of the population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) speaks [[French language|French]] (1,471 or 96.6%) as their first language, [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the second most common (20 or 1.3%) and [[German language|German]] is the third (13 or 0.9%). There are 7 people who speak [[Italian language|Italian]].<ref name=STAT2000/>


{{as of|2008}}, the gender distribution of the population was 49.1% male and 50.9% female. The population was made up of 745 Swiss men (45.5% of the population) and 58 (3.5%) non-Swiss men. There were 768 Swiss women (46.9%) and 65 (4.0%) non-Swiss women.<ref name=VS_Pop>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=14752 Ständige Wohnbevolkerung nach Geschlecht und Heimat am 31.12.2009.xls] {{de icon}} {{fr icon}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref> Of the population in the municipality 1,153 or about 75.8% were born in Evolène and lived there in 2000. There were 111 or 7.3% who were born in the same canton, while 97 or 6.4% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 121 or 8.0% were born outside of Switzerland.<ref name=STAT2000/>
{{as of|2008}}, the gender distribution of the population was 49.1% male and 50.9% female. The population was made up of 745 Swiss men (45.5% of the population) and 58 (3.5%) non-Swiss men. There were 768 Swiss women (46.9%) and 65 (4.0%) non-Swiss women.<ref name=VS_Pop>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=14752 Ständige Wohnbevolkerung nach Geschlecht und Heimat am 31.12.2009.xls] {{in lang|de|fr}} Retrieved 24 August 2011</ref> Of the population in the municipality 1,153 or about 75.8% were born in Evolène and lived there in 2000. There were 111 or 7.3% who were born in the same canton, while 97 or 6.4% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 121 or 8.0% were born outside of Switzerland.<ref name=STAT2000/>


The age distribution of the population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 24.4% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 59.7% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 15.9%.<ref name=SFSO/>
The age distribution of the population ({{as of|2000|lc=on}}) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 24.4% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 59.7% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 15.9%.<ref name=SFSO/>


{{as of|2000}}, there were 631 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 733 married individuals, 107 widows or widowers and 51 individuals who are divorced.<ref name=STAT2000>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true STAT-TAB Datenwürfel für Thema 40.3 - 2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409212530/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true |date=9 April 2014 }} {{de icon}} accessed 2 February 2011</ref>
{{as of|2000}}, there were 631 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 733 married individuals, 107 widows or widowers and 51 individuals who are divorced.<ref name=STAT2000>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true STAT-TAB Datenwürfel für Thema 40.3 - 2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409212530/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.3%20-%202000/40.3%20-%202000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=3&openChild=true |date=9 April 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 2 February 2011</ref>


{{as of|2000}}, there were 579 private households in the municipality, and an average of 2.6 persons per household.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 153 households that consist of only one person and 52 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 598 households that answered this question, 25.6% were households made up of just one person and there were 16 adults who lived with their parents. Of the rest of the households, there are 133 married couples without children, 224 married couples with children There were 39 single parents with a child or children. There were 14 households that were made up of unrelated people and 19 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.<ref name=STAT2000/>
{{as of|2000}}, there were 579 private households in the municipality, and an average of 2.6 persons per household.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 153 households that consist of only one person and 52 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 598 households that answered this question, 25.6% were households made up of just one person and there were 16 adults who lived with their parents. Of the rest of the households, there are 133 married couples without children, 224 married couples with children There were 39 single parents with a child or children. There were 14 households that were made up of unrelated people and 19 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.<ref name=STAT2000/>


{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}} there were 547 single family homes (or 61.0% of the total) out of a total of 897 inhabited buildings. There were 236 multi-family buildings (26.3%), along with 55 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (6.1%) and 59 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (6.6%).<ref name=Housing>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Datenwürfel für Thema 09.2 - Gebäude und Wohnungen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907111534/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=7 September 2014 }} {{de icon}} accessed 28 January 2011</ref>
{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}} there were 547 single family homes (or 61.0% of the total) out of a total of 897 inhabited buildings. There were 236 multi-family buildings (26.3%), along with 55 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (6.1%) and 59 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (6.6%).<ref name=Housing>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Datenwürfel für Thema 09.2 - Gebäude und Wohnungen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907111534/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_09%20-%20Bau-%20und%20Wohnungswesen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen/09.2%20-%20Geb%C3%A4ude%20und%20Wohnungen.asp?lang=1&prod=09&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=7 September 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 28 January 2011</ref>


{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, a total of 548 apartments (36.4% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 767 apartments (51.0%) were seasonally occupied and 190 apartments (12.6%) were empty.<ref name=Housing/> {{as of|2009}}, the construction rate of new housing units was 6.1 new units per 1000 residents.<ref name=SFSO/> The vacancy rate for the municipality, {{as of|2010|alt=in 2010}}, was 2.84%.<ref name=SFSO/>
{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, a total of 548 apartments (36.4% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 767 apartments (51.0%) were seasonally occupied and 190 apartments (12.6%) were empty.<ref name=Housing/> {{as of|2009}}, the construction rate of new housing units was 6.1 new units per 1000 residents.<ref name=SFSO/> The vacancy rate for the municipality, {{as of|2010|alt=in 2010}}, was 2.84%.<ref name=SFSO/>


The historical population is given in the following chart:<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|2704|Evolène}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930162751/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true |date=30 September 2014 }} {{de icon}} accessed 29 January 2011</ref>
The historical population is given in the following chart:<ref name=HDS>{{HDS|2704|Evolène}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930162751/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_40%20-%20Eidgen%C3%B6ssische%20Volksz%C3%A4hlung/40.4%20-%201850-2000/40.4%20-%201850-2000.asp?lang=1&prod=40&secprod=4&openChild=true |date=30 September 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 29 January 2011</ref>
<timeline>
<timeline>
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=== Language ===
=== Language ===
The official language is French, but the locals, both young and old, still use a variety of [[Arpitan]] (also known as "Franco-Provençal" or "Romand") for oral communication. Evolène is one of the last strongholds of the Arpitan language across its [[Franco-Provençal#Geographic distribution|historical domain]]. However, as children are schooled in French only, only about a third of all children regularly use their regional language among themselves. All the same, Arpitan is still spoken spontaneously by people of all ages, which means that the language is alive and well, something which is very uncommon in Swiss [[Romandie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evolena-nostra.ch/patois/grammaire.htm|title=Evolena Nostra}}</ref>
Evolène is one of the few Swiss-Romande municipalities still using a variety of [[Arpitan]] (also known as "Franco-Provençal") for oral communication. Evolène is considered as the last stronghold of the Arpitan language across the Swiss part of its [[Franco-Provençal#Geographic distribution|historical domain]]. However, as children are schooled in French only, only about a third of all children regularly use their regional language among themselves{{Citation needed|reason=This claim needs a reliable source.|date=November 2021}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evolena-nostra.ch/patois/grammaire.htm|title=Evolena Nostra|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305120439/http://www.evolena-nostra.ch/patois/grammaire.htm|archivedate=5 March 2010}}</ref>


===Religion===
===Religion===
From the {{as of|2000|alt=2000 census}}, 1,379 or 90.6% were [[Roman Catholic]], while 39 or 2.6% belonged to the [[Swiss Reformed Church]]. Of the rest of the population, there were 6 individuals (or about 0.39% of the population) who belonged to another Christian church. There was 1 person who was [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and 1 individual who belonged to another church. 53 (or about 3.48% of the population) belonged to no church, are [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] or [[Atheism|atheist]], and 44 individuals (or about 2.89% of the population) did not answer the question.<ref name=STAT2000/>
From the {{as of|2000|alt=2000 census}}, 1,379 or 90.6% were [[Roman Catholic]], while 39 or 2.6% belonged to the [[Swiss Reformed Church]]. Of the rest of the population, there were six individuals (or about 0.39% of the population) who belonged to another Christian church. There was one person who was [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and one individual who belonged to another church. 53 (or about 3.48% of the population) belonged to no church, were [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] or [[Atheism|atheist]], and 44 individuals (or about 2.89% of the population) did not answer the question.<ref name=STAT2000/>


===Education===
===Education===
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==Politics==
==Politics==
In the 2007 [[Swiss federal election, 2007|federal election]] the most popular party was the [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP]] which received 57.73% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the [[Swiss People's Party|SVP]] (12.37%), the [[FDP.The Liberals|FDP]] (10.33%) and the [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|SP]] (8.82%). In the federal election, a total of 1,128 votes were cast, and the [[voter turnout]] was 86.6%.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office, ''Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514211354/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html |date=14 May 2015 }} {{de icon}} accessed 28 May 2010</ref>
In the [[2007 Swiss federal election|2007 federal election]] the most popular party was the [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP]] which received 57.73% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the [[Swiss People's Party|SVP]] (12.37%), the [[FDP.The Liberals|FDP]] (10.33%) and the [[Social Democratic Party of Switzerland|SP]] (8.82%). In the federal election, a total of 1,128 votes were cast, and the [[voter turnout]] was 86.6%.<ref>[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html Swiss Federal Statistical Office, ''Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514211354/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/17/02/blank/data/04/03.html |date=14 May 2015 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 28 May 2010</ref>


In the 2009 [[Conseil d'Etat (Switzerland)|Conseil d'Etat/Staatsrat]] election a total of 1,002 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.7% were invalid. The voter participation was 78.5%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 54.67%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4363&Language=de&link= Staatsratswahlen vom 1. März 2009] {{de icon}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref> In the 2007 [[Swiss Council of States election, 2007|Swiss Council of States election]] a total of 1,109 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.3% were invalid. The voter participation was 86.1%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 59.88%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4360&RefMenuID=0&RefServiceID=0 Ständeratswahl 2007] {{de icon}} accessed 24 August 2011</ref>
In the 2009 [[Conseil d'État (Switzerland)|Conseil d'État/Staatsrat]] election a total of 1,002 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.7% were invalid. The voter participation was 78.5%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 54.67%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/Navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4363&Language=de&link= Staatsratswahlen vom 1. März 2009] {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 24 August 2011</ref> In the 2007 [[Swiss Council of States election, 2007|Swiss Council of States election]] a total of 1,109 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.3% were invalid. The voter participation was 86.1%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 59.88%.<ref>[http://www.vs.ch/navig/navig.asp?MenuID=4360&RefMenuID=0&RefServiceID=0 Ständeratswahl 2007] {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 24 August 2011</ref>


==Economy==
==Economy==
{{as of|2010|In 2010}}, Evolène had an unemployment rate of 3.2%. {{as of|2008}}, there were 179 people employed in the [[Primary sector of the economy|primary economic sector]] and about 80 businesses involved in this sector. 99 people were employed in the [[Secondary sector of the economy|secondary sector]] and there were 23 businesses in this sector. 287 people were employed in the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]], with 91 businesses in this sector.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 732 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 41.0% of the workforce.
{{as of|2010|In 2010}}, Evolène had an unemployment rate of 3.2%. {{as of|2008}}, there were 179 people employed in the [[Primary sector of the economy|primary economic sector]] and about 80 businesses involved in this sector. 99 people were employed in the [[Secondary sector of the economy|secondary sector]] and there were 23 businesses in this sector. 287 people were employed in the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]], with 91 businesses in this sector.<ref name=SFSO/> There were 732 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 41.0% of the workforce.


{{as of|2008|alt=In 2008}} the total number of [[full-time equivalent]] jobs was 411. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 88, of which 85 were in agriculture and 3 were in forestry or lumber production. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 95 of which 26 or (27.4%) were in manufacturing and 49 (51.6%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 228. In the tertiary sector; 61 or 26.8% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 17 or 7.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 94 or 41.2% were in a hotel or restaurant, 4 or 1.8% were the insurance or financial industry, 12 or 5.3% were technical professionals or scientists, 8 or 3.5% were in education and 13 or 5.7% were in health care.<ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Betriebszählung: Arbeitsstätten nach Gemeinde und NOGA 2008 (Abschnitte), Sektoren 1-3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225013454/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=25 December 2014 }} {{de icon}} accessed 28 January 2011</ref>
{{as of|2008|alt=In 2008}} the total number of [[full-time equivalent]] jobs was 411. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 88, of which 85 were in agriculture and 3 were in forestry or lumber production. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 95 of which 26 or (27.4%) were in manufacturing and 49 (51.6%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 228. In the tertiary sector; 61 or 26.8% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 17 or 7.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 94 or 41.2% were in a hotel or restaurant, 4 or 1.8% were the insurance or financial industry, 12 or 5.3% were technical professionals or scientists, 8 or 3.5% were in education and 13 or 5.7% were in health care.<ref>[http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Betriebszählung: Arbeitsstätten nach Gemeinde und NOGA 2008 (Abschnitte), Sektoren 1-3] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225013454/http://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/Database/German_06%20-%20Industrie%20und%20Dienstleistungen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen/06.2%20-%20Unternehmen.asp?lang=1&prod=06&secprod=2&openChild=true |date=25 December 2014 }} {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 28 January 2011</ref>


{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, there were 14 workers who commuted into the municipality and 238 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net exporter of workers, with about 17.0 workers leaving the municipality for every one entering.<ref name=commuter>[https://archive.is/20120804043150/http://www.media-stat.admin.ch/stat/pendler/pop.php Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Statweb] {{de icon}} accessed 24 June 2010</ref> Of the working population, 6.4% used public transportation to get to work, and 61.3% used a private car.<ref name=SFSO/>
{{as of|2000|alt=In 2000}}, there were 14 workers who commuted into the municipality and 238 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net exporter of workers, with about 17.0 workers leaving the municipality for every one entering.<ref name=commuter>[https://archive.today/20120804043150/http://www.media-stat.admin.ch/stat/pendler/pop.php Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Statweb] {{in lang|de}} Retrieved 24 June 2010</ref> Of the working population, 6.4% used public transportation to get to work, and 61.3% used a private car.<ref name=SFSO/>


==Twin town==
==Twin town==
Evolène is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the town of [[Châtelaillon-Plage]], [[France]].<ref>[http://www.asccre.ch/N209/valais-wallis-vallese/?M=230 Conseil des Communes et Regions d'Europe] {{fr icon}} accessed 27 April 2011</ref>
Evolène is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the town of [[Châtelaillon-Plage]], [[France]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120730121333/http://www.asccre.ch/N209/valais-wallis-vallese/?M=230 Conseil des Communes et Regions d'Europe] {{in lang|fr}} Retrieved 27 April 2011</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Evolène}}
{{Commons category|Evolène}}
* [http://www.commune-evolene.ch Official website] {{fr icon}}
* [http://www.commune-evolene.ch Official website] {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://www.evolene-region.ch Official tourisme website] {{fr icon}}
* [http://www.evolene-region.ch Official tourisme website] {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://webcam.evolene.net Official Evolene webcam ] {{fr icon}}
* [http://webcam.evolene.net Official Evolene webcam ] {{in lang|fr}}
* {{HDS|2704|Evolène}}
* {{HDS|2704|Evolène}}
* {{HDS|8209|Haudères, Les}}
* {{HDS|8209|Haudères, Les}}
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{{Municipalities of the district of Hérens}}
{{Municipalities of the district of Hérens}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Evolene}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evolene}}

Latest revision as of 09:51, 11 December 2024

This article is about the Swiss municipality. For the breed of cattle, see Évolène (cattle).

Evolène
Municipality
Flag of Evolène
Flag
Coat of arms of Evolène
Coat of arms
Location of Evolène
Map
Evolène is located in Switzerland
Evolène
Evolène
Evolène is located in Canton of Valais
Evolène
Evolène
Coordinates: 46°7′N 7°30′E / 46.117°N 7.500°E / 46.117; 7.500
CountrySwitzerland
CantonValais
DistrictHérens
Government
 • MayorVirginie Gaspoz
Area
[1]
 • Total
209.94 km2 (81.06 sq mi)
Elevation
1,371 m (4,498 ft)
Highest elevation
(Dent Blanche)
4,357 m (14,295 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2018)[2]
 • Total
1,684
 • Density8.0/km2 (21/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)
1983
SFOS number6083
ISO 3166 codeCH-VS
LocalitiesEvolène, Arolla, Ferpècle, La Forclaz, La Gouille, Les Haudères, Lannaz, La Sage, La Tour, Villa
Surrounded byAyer, Bagnes, Bionaz (IT-AO), Grimentz, Hérémence, Saint-Martin, Zermatt
Twin townsChâtelaillon-Plage (France)
Websitewww.commune-evolene.ch
SFSO statistics

Evolène is a municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

It includes the villages of Evolène, Les Haudères, La Sage, Villa, La Forclaz, and Arolla, the hamlets of Lannaz and La Tour, and the hollow of Ferpècle.

History

[edit]
Maison d’habitation in Les Haudères

The prehistoric rock carvings at Alpage De Cotter and the Maison d’habitation in Les Haudères are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Evolène is first mentioned in 1250 as Ewelina. In 1444 it was mentioned as in loco de Evolena.[3] The municipality was formed in 1882 by division of Hérens municipality into Evolène and Saint-Martin. The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Azure, issuant from a base Vert a mountain Argent, in chief dexter two Mullets of Five and a bird vollant all Or.[4]

Avalanches of 21 February 1999

[edit]

On 21 February 1999, Evolène was the place of a number of fatal avalanches that caused the deaths of 12 people. This was due to a substantial amount of snow which fell on the Alps during the winter of 1999.

The amount of snow that fell during the end of January and the month of February was huge. In spite of this, the snow was able to retain cohesion due to favourable, relatively constant temperature. The situation, however, worsened on the Thursday the 18th, three days before the drama. Weather reports indicated that temperatures were set to rise and between Thursday night and Friday morning, the temperature rose 5 degrees Celsius. This rapid rise caused a mixing between the old and the new layers of snow. In this state, the risk of an avalanche was considered to be at level 3, on a scale of 5. The situation was still not considered to be critical and therefore it was not seen as necessary to instigate any emergency measures. On Saturday 20 February, the avalanche danger was increased to level 4 due to between 20 and 30 centimeters (7.9 and 11.8 in) of fresh snow that fell on the older, established layers, meaning that the possibility of the new layer literally sliding off the older layer (after slight melting) increased. The temperature remained constant between Saturday (20th) and Sunday 21 February, until midday on Sunday when it began to rapidly rise due to prolonged exposure to the sun.

At precisely 8.27 pm, the first two avalanches were set off on the slopes above Villa, at an altitude around 2,600 m (8,500 ft). They were a combination of fresh powder snow and established spring snow and demolished all trees and chalets in their path, as well as the people unlucky enough to be in the chalets at the time. The two avalanches continued to run along the extremities of Villa and eventually formed as one massive fusion of snow and debris reaching up to 15 m (49 ft) high that came to rest 1,000 m (3,300 ft) down the slope, after taking 12 lives and cutting off the main road between Evolène and des Haudères.

Les Haudères, Val d'Hérens, Valais, Suisse (sept. 2007)

Geography

[edit]
Val d'Hérens

Evolène has an area, as of 2011, of 210 square kilometers (81 sq mi). Of this area, 17.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 12.0% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.9% is settled (buildings or roads) and 69.3% is unproductive land.[5]

The municipality is located in the Hérens district and was part of Hérens until 1882.

It is located south of Sion in the Pennine Alps. It is one of the last strongholds of the Franco-Provençal language, being the only village in Switzerland where all generations speak it.[6]

The commune of Evolène is situated in the Val d'Hérens. Evolène is one of the largest municipalities in Switzerland despite having no more than 1,600 inhabitants. This is due to the broken nature of its surrounding alpine terrain, which includes the highest point in the commune, la Dent Blanche (white tooth) at 4,357 m (14,295 ft). Due to its mountain terrain Evolène is subjected to a number of natural dangers such as avalanches and aggressive erosion of its main river due to the recession of three surrounding glaciers.

The commune is made up of several close-lying villages. The main village is Evolène, fortunately situated on a plateau above the river (to avoid flooding of the river), as well as being protected from avalanches by a surrounding forest. Thanks to its favourable position, Evolène was quickly established as the safest village to expand and therefore has become the biggest village in the commune.

Other villages that make up the Evolène commune, such as Arolla, les Haudères, La Sage, La Forclaz and Villa do not benefit from the same level of natural protection as Evolène and are therefore exposed to more risks and have thus become less desirable to develop. The small village of les Haudères is closely situated to Evolène, at the very extremity of Val d'Hérens. The even smaller villages of Villa and La Sage are found about 300 meters (980 ft) up from Evolène. Orientated towards the South, Villa and La Sage benefit from generous sunlight hours. They are also situated near large Swiss mountain meadows which extend up to an altitude of 2,700 meters (8,900 ft). The villages of Evolène and Les Haudères and the hamlet of Lana are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.[7]

Climate

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Climate data for Evolène, elevation 1,825 m (5,988 ft), (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.7
(33.3) 		0.9
(33.6) 		4.4
(39.9) 		8.0
(46.4) 		11.8
(53.2) 		15.7
(60.3) 		18.0
(64.4) 		17.5
(63.5) 		13.7
(56.7) 		10.1
(50.2) 		4.7
(40.5) 		1.8
(35.2) 		8.9
(48.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.6
(27.3) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		0.0
(32.0) 		3.1
(37.6) 		6.9
(44.4) 		10.6
(51.1) 		12.7
(54.9) 		12.6
(54.7) 		8.9
(48.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		4.5
(40.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.5
(22.1) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		2.9
(37.2) 		6.3
(43.3) 		8.2
(46.8) 		8.6
(47.5) 		5.3
(41.5) 		2.3
(36.1) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		−4.6
(23.7) 		0.9
(33.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 49.3
(1.94) 		39.6
(1.56) 		41.1
(1.62) 		50.0
(1.97) 		81.0
(3.19) 		80.9
(3.19) 		88.3
(3.48) 		84.8
(3.34) 		54.6
(2.15) 		54.1
(2.13) 		54.6
(2.15) 		55.4
(2.18) 		733.7
(28.89)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 56.4
(22.2) 		57.7
(22.7) 		44.4
(17.5) 		32.6
(12.8) 		9.2
(3.6) 		0.3
(0.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.0) 		1.6
(0.6) 		12.4
(4.9) 		42.8
(16.9) 		54.0
(21.3) 		311.5
(122.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.8 7.0 7.6 7.8 11.4 10.9 11.0 11.2 7.9 7.5 7.7 8.4 106.2
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm) 7.9 8.7 8.0 5.4 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 2.3 6.6 8.7 49.8
Average relative humidity (%) 56 58 60 63 69 70 67 68 70 65 62 58 64
Mean monthly sunshine hours 110.3 119.5 158.9 163.8 178.2 192.2 211.6 194.0 169.0 142.6 103.6 96.4 1,840.1
Percent possible sunshine 58 58 57 52 48 50 55 57 59 60 54 54 55
Source 1: NOAA[8]
Source 2: MeteoSwiss (snow 1981–2010)[9][10]

Demographics

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Evolène town
View from above of Evolène

Evolène has a population (as of December 2020) of 1,647.[11] As of 2008, 7.7% of the population are resident foreign nationals.[12] Over the last 10 years (1999–2009 ) the population has changed at a rate of 5.5%. It has changed at a rate of 2.3% due to migration and at a rate of 1.6% due to births and deaths.[5]

Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks French (1,471 or 96.6%) as their first language, Portuguese is the second most common (20 or 1.3%) and German is the third (13 or 0.9%). There are 7 people who speak Italian.[13]

As of 2008, the gender distribution of the population was 49.1% male and 50.9% female. The population was made up of 745 Swiss men (45.5% of the population) and 58 (3.5%) non-Swiss men. There were 768 Swiss women (46.9%) and 65 (4.0%) non-Swiss women.[14] Of the population in the municipality 1,153 or about 75.8% were born in Evolène and lived there in 2000. There were 111 or 7.3% who were born in the same canton, while 97 or 6.4% were born somewhere else in Switzerland, and 121 or 8.0% were born outside of Switzerland.[13]

The age distribution of the population (as of 2000) is children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 24.4% of the population, while adults (20–64 years old) make up 59.7% and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 15.9%.[5]

As of 2000, there were 631 people who were single and never married in the municipality. There were 733 married individuals, 107 widows or widowers and 51 individuals who are divorced.[13]

As of 2000, there were 579 private households in the municipality, and an average of 2.6 persons per household.[5] There were 153 households that consist of only one person and 52 households with five or more people. Out of a total of 598 households that answered this question, 25.6% were households made up of just one person and there were 16 adults who lived with their parents. Of the rest of the households, there are 133 married couples without children, 224 married couples with children There were 39 single parents with a child or children. There were 14 households that were made up of unrelated people and 19 households that were made up of some sort of institution or another collective housing.[13]

In 2000 there were 547 single family homes (or 61.0% of the total) out of a total of 897 inhabited buildings. There were 236 multi-family buildings (26.3%), along with 55 multi-purpose buildings that were mostly used for housing (6.1%) and 59 other use buildings (commercial or industrial) that also had some housing (6.6%).[15]

In 2000, a total of 548 apartments (36.4% of the total) were permanently occupied, while 767 apartments (51.0%) were seasonally occupied and 190 apartments (12.6%) were empty.[15] As of 2009, the construction rate of new housing units was 6.1 new units per 1000 residents.[5] The vacancy rate for the municipality, in 2010, was 2.84%.[5]

The historical population is given in the following chart:[3][16]

Language

[edit]

Evolène is one of the few Swiss-Romande municipalities still using a variety of Arpitan (also known as "Franco-Provençal") for oral communication. Evolène is considered as the last stronghold of the Arpitan language across the Swiss part of its historical domain. However, as children are schooled in French only, only about a third of all children regularly use their regional language among themselves[citation needed].[17]

Religion

[edit]

From the 2000 census, 1,379 or 90.6% were Roman Catholic, while 39 or 2.6% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church. Of the rest of the population, there were six individuals (or about 0.39% of the population) who belonged to another Christian church. There was one person who was Buddhist and one individual who belonged to another church. 53 (or about 3.48% of the population) belonged to no church, were agnostic or atheist, and 44 individuals (or about 2.89% of the population) did not answer the question.[13]

Education

[edit]

In Evolène about 470 or (30.9%) of the population have completed non-mandatory upper secondary education, and 116 or (7.6%) have completed additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule). Of the 116 who completed tertiary schooling, 54.3% were Swiss men, 31.9% were Swiss women, 7.8% were non-Swiss men and 6.0% were non-Swiss women.[13]

As of 2000, there were 118 students from Evolène who attended schools outside the municipality.[18]

Events

[edit]
Carnaval in Evolène

The municipality is a popular area for nature lovers and winter sports seekers as well as a popular resort for writers and artists due to its tranquil settings.

Traditional annual cow fights are held around the beginning of May each year (signalling the release of cows after spending the winter indoors) and jointly shared between Evolène, les Haudères and La Sage.

Politics

[edit]

In the 2007 federal election the most popular party was the CVP which received 57.73% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the SVP (12.37%), the FDP (10.33%) and the SP (8.82%). In the federal election, a total of 1,128 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 86.6%.[19]

In the 2009 Conseil d'État/Staatsrat election a total of 1,002 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.7% were invalid. The voter participation was 78.5%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 54.67%.[20] In the 2007 Swiss Council of States election a total of 1,109 votes were cast, of which 37 or about 3.3% were invalid. The voter participation was 86.1%, which is much more than the cantonal average of 59.88%.[21]

Economy

[edit]

As of  2010, Evolène had an unemployment rate of 3.2%. As of 2008, there were 179 people employed in the primary economic sector and about 80 businesses involved in this sector. 99 people were employed in the secondary sector and there were 23 businesses in this sector. 287 people were employed in the tertiary sector, with 91 businesses in this sector.[5] There were 732 residents of the municipality who were employed in some capacity, of which females made up 41.0% of the workforce.

In 2008 the total number of full-time equivalent jobs was 411. The number of jobs in the primary sector was 88, of which 85 were in agriculture and 3 were in forestry or lumber production. The number of jobs in the secondary sector was 95 of which 26 or (27.4%) were in manufacturing and 49 (51.6%) were in construction. The number of jobs in the tertiary sector was 228. In the tertiary sector; 61 or 26.8% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 17 or 7.5% were in the movement and storage of goods, 94 or 41.2% were in a hotel or restaurant, 4 or 1.8% were the insurance or financial industry, 12 or 5.3% were technical professionals or scientists, 8 or 3.5% were in education and 13 or 5.7% were in health care.[22]

In 2000, there were 14 workers who commuted into the municipality and 238 workers who commuted away. The municipality is a net exporter of workers, with about 17.0 workers leaving the municipality for every one entering.[18] Of the working population, 6.4% used public transportation to get to work, and 61.3% used a private car.[5]

Twin town

[edit]

Evolène is twinned with the town of Châtelaillon-Plage, France.[23]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeinden nach 4 Hauptbereichen". Federal Statistical Office. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Ständige Wohnbevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeitskategorie Geschlecht und Gemeinde; Provisorische Jahresergebnisse; 2018". Federal Statistical Office. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b Evolène in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  4. ^ Flags of the World.com. Retrieved 7 September 2011
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Swiss Federal Statistical Office Archived 5 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 7 September 2011
  6. ^ "Dialect enthusiasts and linguists work against clock on Franco-Provençal". Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  7. ^ "Kantonsliste A-Objekte". KGS Inventar (in German). Federal Office of Civil Protection. 2009. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  8. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Climate Normals Evolène / Villa (Reference period 1991−2020)" (PDF). Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Climate Normals Evolène / Villa (Reference period 1981−2010)" (PDF). Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geburtsort und Staatsangehörigkeit". bfs.admin.ch (in German). Swiss Federal Statistical Office - STAT-TAB. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  12. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Superweb database - Gemeinde Statistics 1981-2008 Archived 28 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 19 June 2010
  13. ^ a b c d e f STAT-TAB Datenwürfel für Thema 40.3 - 2000 Archived 9 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 2 February 2011
  14. ^ Ständige Wohnbevolkerung nach Geschlecht und Heimat am 31.12.2009.xls (in German and French) Retrieved 24 August 2011
  15. ^ a b Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB - Datenwürfel für Thema 09.2 - Gebäude und Wohnungen Archived 7 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 28 January 2011
  16. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach Region, 1850-2000 Archived 30 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 29 January 2011
  17. ^ "Evolena Nostra". Archived from the original on 5 March 2010.
  18. ^ a b Swiss Federal Statistical Office - Statweb (in German) Retrieved 24 June 2010
  19. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Nationalratswahlen 2007: Stärke der Parteien und Wahlbeteiligung, nach Gemeinden/Bezirk/Canton Archived 14 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 28 May 2010
  20. ^ Staatsratswahlen vom 1. März 2009 (in German) Retrieved 24 August 2011
  21. ^ Ständeratswahl 2007 (in German) Retrieved 24 August 2011
  22. ^ Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Betriebszählung: Arbeitsstätten nach Gemeinde und NOGA 2008 (Abschnitte), Sektoren 1-3 Archived 25 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Retrieved 28 January 2011
  23. ^ Conseil des Communes et Regions d'Europe (in French) Retrieved 27 April 2011
[edit]
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