Nidwalden

Nidwalden

Capital

Stans

Population (2007)

40,287 (Ranked 22nd)

- Density

145 /km²

Area

276 km² (Ranked 22nd)

Highest point

2901 m - Rotstöckli

Lowest point

434 m - Lake Lucerne

Joined

1291

Abbreviation

Languages

German

Executive

Regierungsrat (7)

Legislative

Landrat (60)

Municipalities

11 municipalities

Districts

n.a.

Website

www.NW.ch

Nidwalden (German: Nidwalden) is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 40,287 (in 2007) of which 4,046 (or 10%) are foreigners^[1]. The capital is Stans.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Politics
4 Demographics
5 Economy
6 Tourism
7 Culture
8 Municipalities
9 External links
10 References

Geography

Nidwalden is located in the centre of Switzerland. To the north it is bounded by the Lake 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 inhabitated or used for farming^[2]. Forests occupy about one third of the canton with about one quarter being considered unproductive (mountains or glaciers)^[2].

History

The earliest traces of human settlement date to the Neolithic with sites found near Stansstad that are from 4000-3100 BC^[3]. The same sites, near Stansstad, also contain Late Bronze Age (1400-1100 BC) artifacts, with additional bronze age sites near Hergiswil and Ennetmoos. A La 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 1^st millennium BC^[3].

During the Roman Empire Ob and Nidwalden were inhabitated by a Gallo-Roman or Celtic population. While there few artifacts from the population, many of the towns, rivers and mountains have either celtic or gallo-roman roots^[3]. By the 8^th Century the Alemanni 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 10^th Century when it was replaced by a church in Buochs^[3].

Initally the land was owned by a number of noble families and abbeys. But by the late 13^th Century the major powers in Nidwalden had shrunk to three: the Habsburgs, Murbach Abbey and Engelberg Abbey. In 1291 Rudolph of Habsburg bought Obwalden (the combined Unterwalden and Nidwalden) from Murbach Abbey. In response the people of Nidwalden joined Uri and Schwyz to form an alliance which is considered the foundation of modern Switzerland.

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 of Bellinzona, Riviera and Blenio areas (today located in the canton of Ticino).

Around 1500 many people in Nidwalden worked as mercenary soldiers. Many of these soldiers later emigrated. This helped to lessen the pressure of a growing population. A popular destination was the Alsace. After rejecting a new constitution by Napoleon — the ideas of the French Revolution were not popular in such an agricultural area — Nidwalden was attacked by French troops on 9 September 1798. Random destruction was caused and at least 400 people were killed. After the end of Napoleon's 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.

Politics

The cantonal executive (Regierungsrat) is composed of seven members. The local parliament has 60 seats.

Nidwalden sends only one deputy to the Swiss Council of States.

Demographics

The population is 40,287 (as of December 2007^[update]) of which 4,046 (or 10%) are foreigners. By gender the canton is nearly evenly split with 50.9% male and 49.1% female^[1]. In 2000, 75.6% of the population was Roman Catholic while 11.9% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church^[4]. The population density is (as of December 2005^[update]) 144.3 persons per km²^[2]. Most of the population (as of 2000^[update]) speaks German (92.5%) with a small minority speaking Italian (1.4%) or Serbo-Croatian (1.2%)^[2].

Economy

Up to the 20th century Nidwalden was dominated by agriculture. Cattle and cheese were exported mainly to northern Italy. 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 constructor Pilatus. 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 diary farming. The farms are still run by individual families.

In recent years, Nidwalden is becoming an increasingly popular place to live and work. This is caused by its low taxes, its central location between Zürich and Milan, and its beautiful countryside.

Tourism

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 include Klewenalp, Stanserhorn (mountain), the region around Bannalp, and Bürgenstock.

Culture

Traditional culture in Nidwalden has been kept alive by many local organizations. There is traditional music, yodeling, dances, theaters and festivals. There are also a number of modern cultural events, such a concerts and galleries.

Municipalities

There are eleven municipalities: Beckenried, Buochs, Dallenwil, Emmetten, Ennetbürgen, Ennetmoos, Hergiswil, Oberdorf, Stans, Stansstad and Wolfenschiessen. The capital is Stans.