Obwalden
Encyclopedia
Obwalden is a canton
of Switzerland
. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 33,997 (2007) of which 4,043 (or 11.9%) are foreigners. Its capital is Sarnen
. The canton contains the geographical centre of Switzerland
.
. After AD 700 the Alemanni moved into the area. In 1291 Obwalden joined Nidwalden
to form an alliance with Uri
and Schwyz
which is the basis of modern day Switzerland. In the 13th and 14th century Obwalden established its own local governance, despite having had a joint assembly with Nidwalden up to around 1330.
In 1403 Obwalden joined Uri to invade the Leventina area (today located in the canton of Ticino
) to establish new markets for cheese and cattle. Approximately 1500 people in Obwalden worked as mercenary soldiers. Some of these soldiers accumulated wealth and held many offices. During Napoleon's occupation between 1798 and 1803 Obwalden lost its independence, but, for the first time, ordinary people gained fundamental political rights. In 1815 the monastery of Engelberg
and the municipality of the same name joined Obwalden.
(Urner Alps
), 3238 m
Lakes in the canton include: parts of Lake Lucerne
(Vierwaldstättersee), Lake Sarnen (Sarnersee), Lungerersee
, Wichelsee
, Tannensee
and Melchsee
.
The total area of the canton is 490.5 square kilometres (189.4 sq mi). , 197.3 km² (76.2 sq mi) or about 40.2% of the canton is wooded. 185.8 km² (71.7 sq mi), or about 37.9% is used in agriculture. Of the rest of the area, 15.8 km² (6.1 sq mi) or 3.2% is developed (structures and roads) and 91.6 km² (35.4 sq mi) or 18.7% is classed as unproductive (rivers, mountains or glaciers).
Obwalden is a half canton. This gives Obwalden all the rights and duties of full cantons, with the exception that the canton can only send one deputy to the Council of States
. The small size of the canton allows a small government with only five members.
minority (8%).
, Kerns
, Sachseln
, Alpnach
, Giswil
, Lungern
and Engelberg
. The capital Sarnen is subdivided into Sarnen-Dorfschaft, Kägiswil, Schwendi/Wilen and Ramersberg. The autonomy of the municipalities in Obwalden is significant. Two thirds of the tax revenues flow to the municipalities, which for example pay for education without grants from the canton.
Small and middle-sized businesses dominate the economy of Obwalden. Many of them are specialists in areas such as miniature engines, synthetics, medical equipment or nano technology.
Traditional areas are still of great importance. Particularly forestry
and related businesses are significant, as is agriculture
. Agriculture in Obwalden is specialized in integrated dairy
and meat farming. The farms are still family run.
In 2007 Obwalden replaced the former degressive income tax (lower tax rates for higher incomes) with a flat 1.8% income tax, which is the lowest in the country. This cantonal tax is in addition to federal and local taxes.
is a major sector. The central location in the Swiss Alps
meant that Obwalden was able to establish itself as a significant tourist location in the 19th century. Many facilities built for tourism now benefit the local industry and the population. Two of the mountain
s, namely Pilatus
and Titlis
, are the main attractions. Winter sports, in particular skiing and snowboarding, attract many tourist. The main resorts are Engelberg, Melchsee-Frutt
, Lungern-Schönbüel, Mörlialp and Langis. During the summer, hiking and mountaineering are the main attractions. One quarter of the population is directly or indirectly employed in the tourism sector.
(painter), Kurt Sigrist (sculptor) and Alois Spichtig (sculptor).
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 33,997 (2007) of which 4,043 (or 11.9%) are foreigners. Its capital is Sarnen
Sarnen
Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden situated on the shores of Lake Sarnen , Switzerland. It has a population of just under 10,000 and is surrounded by countryside and mountains. Sarnen is located 20 km south of Lucerne.- History :...
. The canton contains the geographical centre of Switzerland
Geographical centre of Switzerland
The geographical centre of Switzerland has the coordinates . It is located at Älggi-Alp in the municipality of Sachseln, Obwalden. The point is the centre of mass determined in 1988 by Swisstopo....
.
History
The first settlements in Obwalden date back to the Celts and the RomansAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. After AD 700 the Alemanni moved into the area. In 1291 Obwalden joined Nidwalden
Nidwalden
Nidwalden is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 40,287 of which 4,046 are foreigners. The capital is Stans.-History:...
to form an alliance with Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
and Schwyz
Canton of Schwyz
Schwyz is a canton in central Switzerland between the Alps in the south, Lake Lucerne in the east and Lake Zurich in the north, centered around and named after the town of Schwyz....
which is the basis of modern day Switzerland. In the 13th and 14th century Obwalden established its own local governance, despite having had a joint assembly with Nidwalden up to around 1330.
In 1403 Obwalden joined Uri to invade the Leventina area (today located in the canton of Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
) to establish new markets for cheese and cattle. Approximately 1500 people in Obwalden worked as mercenary soldiers. Some of these soldiers accumulated wealth and held many offices. During Napoleon's occupation between 1798 and 1803 Obwalden lost its independence, but, for the first time, ordinary people gained fundamental political rights. In 1815 the monastery of Engelberg
Engelberg Abbey
Engelberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Engelberg, Canton of Obwalden, Switzerland. It was formerly in the Diocese of Constance, but now in the Diocese of Chur...
and the municipality of the same name joined Obwalden.
Geography
Highest elevation: TitlisTitlis
The Titlis is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car...
(Urner Alps
Urner Alps
The Urner Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland in the western part of the Alps. They extend into the cantons of Obwalden, Valais, Lucerne, Bern, Uri and Nidwalden and are bordered by the Bernese Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Glarus Alps to the east.The Urner...
), 3238 m
Lakes in the canton include: parts of Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is a lake in central Switzerland and the fourth largest in the country.The lake has a complicated shape, with bends and arms reaching from the city of Lucerne into the mountains. It has a total area of 114 km² , an elevation of 434 m , and a maximum depth of 214 m . Its volume is 11.8...
(Vierwaldstättersee), Lake Sarnen (Sarnersee), Lungerersee
Lungerersee
The Lungerersee is a small natural lake in Obwalden, Switzerland which is named after the town Lungern on its shore. It is used as reservoir....
, Wichelsee
Wichelsee
Wichelsee is a lake in Obwalden, Switzerland. Its surface area is 0.22 km². The reservoir is located in the municipalities of Alpnach and Sarnen. It formed after the Sarner Aa was damed in 1955. The area around the lake was protected in 2005....
, Tannensee
Tannensee
Tannensee is a reservoir in Obwalden, Switzerland. In 1958, Tannenbach and few other creeks were dammed with an earth-fill dam. The lake has a volume of 3.8 mio m³ and its surface area is 0.33 km². The reservoir is used to generate electricity at Kraftwerk Hugschwendi in Kerns.-External links:**...
and Melchsee
Melchsee
Melchsee is a lake in the canton of Obwalden, Switzerland. It lends it name to the resort Melchsee-Frutt, in the municipality of Kerns. At an elevation of 1891 m, its surface area is 0.54 km²....
.
The total area of the canton is 490.5 square kilometres (189.4 sq mi). , 197.3 km² (76.2 sq mi) or about 40.2% of the canton is wooded. 185.8 km² (71.7 sq mi), or about 37.9% is used in agriculture. Of the rest of the area, 15.8 km² (6.1 sq mi) or 3.2% is developed (structures and roads) and 91.6 km² (35.4 sq mi) or 18.7% is classed as unproductive (rivers, mountains or glaciers).
Politics
Within the Swiss ConfederationSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Obwalden is a half canton. This gives Obwalden all the rights and duties of full cantons, with the exception that the canton can only send one deputy to the Council of States
Swiss Council of States
The Council of States of Switzerland is the smaller chamber of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, and is considered the Assembly's upper house. There are 46 Councillors....
. The small size of the canton allows a small government with only five members.
Demographics
The population of the canton (as of ) is . The population is nearly all Roman Catholic (80%) with small ProtestantProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
minority (8%).
Municipalities
There are seven municipalities: SarnenSarnen
Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden situated on the shores of Lake Sarnen , Switzerland. It has a population of just under 10,000 and is surrounded by countryside and mountains. Sarnen is located 20 km south of Lucerne.- History :...
, Kerns
Kerns
Kerns is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland.-History:Kerns is first mentioned in 1036 as Chernz though this mention is from a 14th Century copy of the original document. After 1101 it was normally mentioned as Chernes.-Geography:...
, Sachseln
Sachseln
Sachseln is a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland.-Geography:Sachseln has an area, , of . Of this area, 45.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 39.4% is forested...
, Alpnach
Alpnach
Alpnach is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland.-Geography:Alpnach has an area, , of . Of this area, 32.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while 54.1% is forested...
, Giswil
Giswil
Giswil is a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland.-Geography:Giswil has an area, , of . Of this area, 35.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 53.3% is forested...
, Lungern
Lungern
Lungern is a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. Lungerersee is located within the municipality.-Geography: The village of Lungern lies above sea level in the highest part of the canton of Obwalden, on the lake of Lungern and at the foot of the Brünig Pass...
and Engelberg
Engelberg
Engelberg is a village in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. Engelberg has a population of . , 21.0% of the population was made up of foreign nationals.It is the leading mountain resort in central Switzerland...
. The capital Sarnen is subdivided into Sarnen-Dorfschaft, Kägiswil, Schwendi/Wilen and Ramersberg. The autonomy of the municipalities in Obwalden is significant. Two thirds of the tax revenues flow to the municipalities, which for example pay for education without grants from the canton.
Economy
Traditional areas are still of great importance. Particularly forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and related businesses are significant, as is agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. Agriculture in Obwalden is specialized in integrated dairy
Dairy farming
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...
and meat farming. The farms are still family run.
In 2007 Obwalden replaced the former degressive income tax (lower tax rates for higher incomes) with a flat 1.8% income tax, which is the lowest in the country. This cantonal tax is in addition to federal and local taxes.
Tourism
TourismTourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
is a major sector. The central location in the Swiss Alps
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....
meant that Obwalden was able to establish itself as a significant tourist location in the 19th century. Many facilities built for tourism now benefit the local industry and the population. Two of the mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
s, namely Pilatus
Pilatus (mountain)
Pilatus is a mountain near Lucerne, Switzerland. Jurisdiction over the mountain is divided between the cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden, and Lucerne...
and Titlis
Titlis
The Titlis is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car...
, are the main attractions. Winter sports, in particular skiing and snowboarding, attract many tourist. The main resorts are Engelberg, Melchsee-Frutt
Melchsee-Frutt
Melchsee-Frutt is a mountain resort village in Switzerland. The village is located near the lake Melchsee, in the municipality of Kerns, canton Obwalden. It has an elevation of 1920 meters. The main attractions of this resort are skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking and rock climbing. The...
, Lungern-Schönbüel, Mörlialp and Langis. During the summer, hiking and mountaineering are the main attractions. One quarter of the population is directly or indirectly employed in the tourism sector.
Culture
Traditional culture in Obwalden has been kept alive by many local organizations. There is traditional music, carnival, dances, costumes, theatres and festivals. There are also a number of modern artists, including Josef Garovi (composer), Caspar Diethelm (composer), Julian Dillier (poet), Franz BucherFranz Bucher
Franz Bucher is a Swiss artist. He has produced paintings, drawings, woodcuts, etchings, sculptural objects, reliefs, murals, and stained glass.-Early life and education:Franz Bucher was born in 1940 in Sarnen, Obwalden, Switzerland...
(painter), Kurt Sigrist (sculptor) and Alois Spichtig (sculptor).