valles

Valles is a term with several related uses in linguistics, geography, and astronomy. It derives from Latin vallis, meaning valley. In Latin, vallis has a plural form valles; in English and other languages, “Valles” can appear as a Latinized form of the word valley and is encountered in toponyms, historic texts, and scientific naming.

Geography and toponymy: In modern usage, valleys are low-lying elongated depressions between hills or mountains. The plural form “valleys” is common in English, while “valles” sometimes appears in Spanish-language place names or historical inscriptions as a translation or as part of a proper name. The word also appears in surnames and in the names of districts or municipalities, typically reflecting local valley geography.

Planetary nomenclature: The International Astronomical Union uses Latin terms to name valley features on other worlds. The singular “vallis” and the plural “valles” appear in official names. Notable examples include Vallis Alpes and Vallis Schröteri on the Moon, and Valles Marineris on Mars, one of the largest canyon systems in the Solar System.

Valles is also a surname in various cultures. See also Vallis and Valley for related terms.