Vallei

Vallei is the Dutch term for a valley, a low-lying stretch of terrain that lies between hills or mountains and is typically traversed by a river or stream. Valleys form through a combination of tectonic uplift and erosion by running water or glaciers. Younger valleys tend to have V-shaped profiles shaped by river incision, while older, glaciated valleys may be broader and U-shaped with flat floors.

Valleys often host rich soils due to sediment deposition, making them favorable for agriculture and settlements. They usually have a milder microclimate compared with surrounding uplands, increased humidity, and higher biodiversity on the valley floor and slopes. Human use includes farming, transportation routes, and urban development, while floodplain management and water governance are common concerns.

In Dutch, vallei comes from the Old French vallée, reflecting the shared linguistic heritage of the term for a valley. In toponymy, Vallei may appear as part of place names in Dutch-speaking areas, sometimes denoting a geographic feature or a specific valley within a region.