Unterwalden

Unterwalden is a historic region in central Switzerland that today corresponds to the two cantons of Nidwalden and Obwalden. In the Middle Ages it referred to the forest lands that, together with Uri and Schwyz, formed the core of the Old Swiss Confederation. The name Unterwalden reflects its position in the lower part of the valley region along the Reuss. The area is closely linked to Swiss legend, notably the traditional oath on the Rütli meadow, which is associated with the founding of the Swiss federation in 1291.

Geographically, Unterwalden lies in the central Swiss plateau and the Reuss valley, with lakes such as Lake Sarnen to the north and Lake Lucerne nearby to the south. The two modern cantons – Obwalden, with its capital in Sarnen, and Nidwalden, with its capital in Stans – share historical roots and the broader cultural landscape of the region. The area is characterized by mountainous terrain, pastoral scenery, and a mix of rural communities, small towns, and tourism facilities.

Historically, Unterwalden was one of the original “forest cantons” that formed the Swiss Confederation. It later became divided into the two half-cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden, a status that continued into modern Switzerland. Today, although the term Unterwalden is primarily historical, it remains a reference point for the internal regional identity of central Switzerland, and the two cantons retain their distinct administrations within the federal system.

Economy and culture in the region are shaped by agriculture, forestry, small-scale industry, and tourism. Swiss German is spoken, with local dialects. Notable sites include the towns of Sarnen and Stans, the lakes in the area, and the Rütli tradition associated with the region’s founding heritage.