Valley vs. Canyon — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023

A valley is a low area between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it, while a canyon is a deep, narrow chasm with steep cliff walls, usually carved out by a river.

Difference Between Valley and Canyon

Table of Contents

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Key Differences

A valley is characterized by its elongated depression between uplands, hills, or mountains. Typically, valleys are vast and can span long distances. A canyon, on the other hand, is a type of valley but is deeper and has more vertical sides, making it appear narrower.

Sep 16, 2023

The formation of a valley can be due to glacial movements, erosion, or tectonic plate movements. Often, they host rivers or streams. Conversely, a canyon is generally the result of erosion caused by rivers over long periods, cutting deep into a plateau or mountain range.

Sep 16, 2023

When you think of a valley, it evokes images of wide, expansive landscapes, possibly agricultural fields, and often a sense of serenity. In contrast, a canyon brings forth visions of dramatic drops, rocky formations, and a river furiously carving its path at the bottom.

Sep 16, 2023

Valleys can be found across the globe, from the vast plains in Africa to the green dales in England. They are versatile in terms of climate and usage. Canyons, with their steep sides, are less habitable, but their sheer beauty makes them popular tourist destinations.

Sep 16, 2023

Both valleys and canyons play crucial roles in shaping the Earth's topography. While valleys often serve as pathways for rivers and provide fertile land for agriculture, canyons are stark reminders of nature's power and the passage of time.

Sep 16, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Definition

A low area between hills or mountains.

A deep, narrow chasm with steep sides.

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Formation

Erosion, glaciation, or tectonic activity.

Primarily river erosion.

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Appearance

Wide and expansive.

Deep, narrow, and often with vertical walls.

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Usage

Agriculture, habitation, and transportation.

Tourism, limited habitation.

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Examples

The Indus Valley, the San Fernando Valley.

The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon.

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Compare with Definitions

Valley

A trough between two ridges on a roof or other surface.

The valley of the roof was collecting rainwater.

Sep 16, 2023

Canyon

A deep gorge with cliffs, carved by a river.

The canyon echoed with the calls of distant birds.

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Valley

A region drained by a river and its tributaries.

The Mississippi River valley is incredibly fertile.

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Canyon

A narrow chasm with steep cliff walls.

The hikers descended into the canyon cautiously.

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Valley

An elongated lowland between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands.

The picturesque valley was surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

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Canyon

A ravine formed by weathering and water erosion.

The river ran fiercely at the bottom of the canyon.

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Valley

A depression or hollow resembling or suggesting a valley, as the point at which something divides.

The valley in the folded paper made the perfect crease.

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Canyon

A deep valley with very steep sides of rock that usually has a river running through it.

They took a rafting trip through the canyon's rapids.

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Valley

A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over a very long period of time.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A dramatic geological formation resulting from erosion.

The canyon stood as a testament to nature's power and time.

Sep 16, 2023

Valley

A low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it

The valley floor

The Thames Valley

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A canyon (from Spanish: cañón; archaic British English spelling: cañon) or gorge is a deep cleft between escarpments or cliffs resulting from weathering and the erosive activity of a river over geologic time scales. Rivers have a natural tendency to cut through underlying surfaces, eventually wearing away rock layers as sediments are removed downstream.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

An internal angle formed by the intersecting planes of a roof, or by the slope of a roof and a wall.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it, as found in North America

The Grand Canyon

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

An elongated lowland between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands, often having a river or stream running along the bottom.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A narrow chasm with steep cliff walls, cut into the earth by running water; a gorge.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

An extensive area of land drained or irrigated by a river system.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A valley, especially a long, narrow, steep valley, cut in rock by a river.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

A depression or hollow resembling or suggesting a valley, as the point at which the two slopes of a roof meet.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

The English form of the Spanish word Cañon.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

An elongated depression cast between hills or mountains, often garnished with a river flowing through it.

Feb 03, 2020

Canyon

A ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

An area which drains itself into a river.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

Any structure resembling one, e.g. the interior angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

To form the shape of a valley.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively.

The valley of the shadow of death.

Sweet interchangeOf hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which have their plates running in different directions, and form on the plan a reëntrant angle.

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

A long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

Feb 03, 2020

Valley

A low area of land between hills or mountains.

The valley was covered in a blanket of wildflowers.

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Common Curiosities

Are all canyons valleys?

Yes, all canyons are a type of valley, but not all valleys are canyons.

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Can people live in canyons?

While valleys are more habitable and versatile, people do live in some canyons, though it's less common.

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What's the main difference between a valley and a canyon?

A valley is a broad lowland, while a canyon is a deep, narrow chasm with steep sides.

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How is a valley formed?

Valleys can form from erosion, glaciation, or tectonic movements, unlike canyons which mainly form from river erosion.

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Can you farm in a canyon?

Farming in a canyon can be challenging due to steep walls, but valleys often offer fertile land suitable for agriculture.

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Why are canyons popular tourist spots?

Canyons offer dramatic landscapes and unique geological features, unlike the serene beauty of many valleys.

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Which is larger, a valley or a canyon?

Typically, a valley is larger and more expansive, while a canyon is deeper and narrower.

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Which is better for hiking, a valley or a canyon?

Both offer unique hiking experiences; valleys might be more open, while canyons provide dramatic views and challenges.

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Which is a famous canyon?

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is world-famous, whereas there are many famous valleys worldwide.

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Do valleys always have rivers?

Not always, but many valleys have rivers or streams, just as many canyons are carved by rivers.

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How deep can canyons get?

Canyons can be thousands of feet deep, with the depth varying greatly, unlike valleys which are typically not as deep.

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Are valleys always green and fertile?

No, while many valleys are fertile, some can be arid or rocky, just as canyons vary in their environments.

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Can a valley turn into a canyon?

Over time, with significant river erosion, parts of a valley could deepen and resemble a canyon.

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Are canyons found worldwide?

Yes, just as valleys are found across the world, canyons too are spread across different continents and environments.

Sep 16, 2023

Do rivers in canyons have rapid currents?

Often, rivers in canyons have rapids due to the steep gradient, while rivers in valleys may flow more gently.

Sep 16, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.