Baltschieder

Baltschieder is first mentioned in 1224 as Ponczirrum. In 1286 it was mentioned as Balschyedro. Baltschieder has an area, as of 2011, of 31.4 square kilometers (12.1 mi). Of this area, 10.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 3.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 1.1% is settled (buildings or roads) and 85.0% is unproductive land. The municipality is located in the Visp district, at the end of the Baltschieder valley. The proposed merger of the municipalities of Eggerberg, Ausserberg, Bürchen, Baltschieder, Visp and Visperterminen was rejected by the residents. The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Or, a Lion rampant Sable langued and armed Gules. Baltschieder has a population (as of December 2020) of 1,305.