Unterwalden

Unterwalden, canton, central Switzerland, one of the Four Forest Cantons. A mountainous, forested, and chiefly pastoral region, Unterwalden is divided into the half cantons of Obwalden (1993 pop. 30,200), 190 sq mi (492 sq km), in the west, with its capital at Sarnen, and Nidwalden (1993 pop. 34,900), 106 sq mi (275 sq km), in the east, with its capital at Stans. Dairying and woodworking are the main occupations of Obwalden, while the economy of Nidwalden revolves around its winter tourist facilities. The population of Unterwalden is German-speaking and Roman Catholic. In 1291, Unterwalden formed with the cantons of Uri and Schwyz a league that became the nucleus of the Swiss Confederation (see Switzerland). The two half cantons officially split from each other in 1340, although generally they continued to act as one unit. They gained sovereign status as individual units in 1803.

Former canton, central Switzerland. It was ruled after 1173 by the Habsburg counts. In 1291, with Uri and Schwyz, it formed the Everlasting League, which became the nucleus of the Swiss Confederation. In 1340 it divided into two sovereign half cantons, Nidwalden and Obwalden; in 1803 they became demicantons having equal rights.

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Unterwalden is the old name for what is now two cantons in central Switzerland, south of Lake Lucerne. It consists of two half-cantons, an upper part, Obwalden, and a lower part, Nidwalden.

Unterwalden was one of the three participants in the 1291 alliance with Uri and Schwyz, considered the origin of the Swiss Confederation.