Nidwalden lies inCentral Switzerland. It borders the canton of Obwalden to the west, the cantons ofLucerne andSchwyz to the north, the canton ofUri to the east and the canton ofBern to the south. The canton is essentially in theAlps, south ofLake Lucerne.
It is one of the smallest cantons, the population is 40,287 (in 2007).[4] The largest town isStans, followed byHergiswil andBuochs.
Together with Obwalden, Nidwalden was part of the forest canton ofUnterwalden, one of the three participants in thefoundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy, named in thePact of Brunnen of 1315 with Uri and Schwyz. The division of Unterwalden into two separate territories, Obwalden and Nidwalden, appears to develop over the course of the 14th and 15th centuries.
The earliest traces of human settlement date to theNeolithic with sites found near Stansstad that are from 4000 to 3100 BC.[5] The same sites, near Stansstad, also containLate Bronze Age (1400–1100 BC) artifacts, with additional Bronze Age sites near Hergiswil and Ennetmoos. ALa Tène (500–100 BC) grave for a 10-year-old girl has been found in Stans. Based on these finds, it appears that the Nidwalden region has been settled since the 1st millennium BC.[5]
During theRoman Empire Ob and Nidwalden were inhabited by aGallo-Roman orCeltic population. While there are few artifacts from the population, many names of the towns, rivers and mountains have either Celtic or Gallo-Roman roots.[5] By the 8th century theAlemanni entered the valleys of present-day Nidwalden and intermingled. At this time a Roman Catholic church was built in Stans, most likely founded by an Alemanni noble family. The church in Stans would remain until the 10th century when it was replaced by a church inBuochs.[5]
At the time there was no state, but towards the end of the 14th century early forms of government were established. This included institutionalized assemblies and courts. In the 14th and 15th century the people of Nidwalden joined the people of Obwalden to discuss important matters, but the two cantons were never really one. For example, Obwalden did not participate in the annexation ofBellinzona,Riviera andBlenio areas (today located in the canton ofTicino).[citation needed]
Under theHelvetic Republic imposed in 1798 byFrench Revolutionary troops, Switzerland became a united country. The ideas of the French Revolution were not popular in some parts of the Swiss nation including Nidwalden. The cantons were accustomed to self-government and many resented the limits on the freedom of worship in particular. When rebel forces threatened the Republic, Nidwalden was attacked by French troops on 9 September 1798. The canton's infrastructure was badly damaged and at least 400 people were killed.
After the end ofNapoleonic rule in 1814, most of the changes were reverted. Only in 1877 did Nidwalden introduce a new constitution. The open assembly (Landsgemeinde) was abolished in 1997.
Nidwalden is located in the centre of Switzerland. To the north it is bounded by theLake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), to all other directions by mountain chains (Urner Alps). The area of the canton is 276.1 square kilometers (106.6 sq mi) of which about 40% is inhabited or used for farming.[7] Forests occupy about one third of the canton with about one quarter being considered unproductive (mountains or glaciers).[7]
The cantonal executive (Regierungsrat) is composed of seven members. The local parliament has 60 seats. Nidwalden sends only one deputy to theSwiss Council of States.
TheWorld Wildlife Fund commissioned a study into the energy policies of allSwiss cantons . No canton was given the highest possible rating of 6, and Nidwalden came out with one of the lowest in the country, above onlyZug andSchwyz. Six indicators[10] were used for the assessment, namely cantonal goals, energy efficiency requirements, renewable energy regulations, financial subsidies, energy planning of the individual municipalities, and theGebäudeenergieausweis. The highest rating can only be given to cantons which are on their way to meeting the requirements of theParis Agreement in each area.
The population of the canton (as of 31 December 2020) is 43,520.[2] As of 2007[update], the population included 4,046 foreigners, or about 10% of the total population. By gender, the canton is nearly evenly split with 50.9% male and 49.1% female.[4] In 2000, 75.6% of the population identified asCatholic while 11.9% belong to theSwiss Reformed Church.[11] The population density in December 2005 was 144.3 persons per km2.[7] Most of the population (as of 2000[update]) speaks German (92.5%) with a small minority speaking Italian (1.4%) orSerbo-Croatian (1.2%).[7]
Up to the 20th century Nidwalden was dominated by agriculture. Cattle and cheese were exported mainly to northernItaly. Around 1500, many people in Nidwalden worked as mercenary soldiers.
From the middle of the 19th century onwards, trade, industry and tourism gained momentum. Nevertheless, until the middle of the 20th century, agriculture dominated the canton. Today a great number of small and middle-sized businesses dominate the economy. The largest employer is the airplane constructorPilatus. The small and middle-sized businesses work in a wide range of areas. Many specialize in machine construction, medical equipment, international trade, optics and electronics.
Traditional areas such as forestry and agriculture are still of importance. Agriculture is specialized in cattle and dairy farming. The farms are still run by individual families.
In recent years,[when?] Nidwalden is becoming an increasingly common place to live and work.[citation needed] This is caused by its low taxes, its central location betweenZürich andMilan, and its natural environment.[original research?]
Peak of the Stanserhorn showing the restaurant and cable car
Because of its mountainous geography, tourism is important in Nidwalden. The lake and the mountains attract many tourists, both during the winter and the summer. Major resorts includeKlewenalp,Stanserhorn (mountain), the region aroundBannalp, andBürgenstock.
Traditional culture in Nidwalden has been kept alive by many local organisations. There is traditional music, yodeling, dances, theaters and festivals. There are also a number of modern cultural events, such a concerts and galleries.
