The canton of Valais is located in the southwest of Switzerland, amidst the Alps. It stretches across the upper Rhône Valley from the Rhône Glacier to Lake Geneva. Valais borders the canton of Bern to the north, the canton of Vaud to the west, and the cantons of Uri and Ticino to the east. To the south, Valais shares a border with neighboring Italy, and to the west with France. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the canton has a unique, almost Mediterranean climate, characterized by high sunshine duration in both summer and winter. Therefore, viticulture and fruit growing are of great importance in Valais. The region includes the Rhône Valley from the Rhône Glacier to Lake Geneva, along with its side valleys, and a small area beyond the Simplon Pass. The three largest Alpine glaciers, Aletsch, Gorner, and Fiescher, are located in the canton.