24 practice questions with answers and explanations on the authorities, history, geography and culture of Nidwalden. The app has all 405 questions on Nidwalden and Switzerland.
Nidwalden does not publish an official question bank. Our questions are based on the study material of the canton and the Confederation and cover the topics that are examined.
Tap an answer to see if it is right. Under “Show answer” you find the solution with an explanation and the source.
Correct answer: A – 11
Nidwalden has eleven political municipalities: Beckenried, Buochs, Dallenwil, Emmetten, Ennetbürgen, Ennetmoos, Hergiswil, Oberdorf, Stans, Stansstad and Wolfenschiessen. By population, Stans is the largest and Emmetten the smallest (end of 2024).
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – 4 years
In Nidwalden the Landrat and the Regierungsrat are elected every four years, the Landrat by proportional representation and the Regierungsrat by majority vote. Only the Landammann (head of government) changes every year.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – 1965
The cantonal constitution of Nidwalden is dated 10 October 1965. It has been amended several times since, for example when the Landsgemeinde was abolished.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Landrat
The Nidwalden cantonal parliament is called the Landrat. In many other cantons the parliament is called Kantonsrat or Grosser Rat.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden (Unterwalden)
In 1291 Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden renewed their alliance. Nidwalden is thus one of the founding places of the Confederation; together with Obwalden it formed the land of Unterwalden.
Source: bbzp.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Unterwalden
Nidwalden ('below the forest') and Obwalden ('above the forest') together formed the land of Unterwalden, one of the three original cantons. Both cantons still use red and white as their cantonal colours.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – French troops invaded the canton
In 1798 Nidwalden refused to swear the oath to the Helvetic Constitution. On 9 September 1798 French troops invaded; hundreds of people died and many villages were destroyed (the 'Schreckenstage', days of terror).
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
After the French invasion of 1798, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi ran an orphanage in Stans for several months in 1798/99 for children who had lost their parents. This experience shaped his educational theory.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Stans
Stans is the capital of the canton of Nidwalden and seat of the cantonal authorities. Sarnen is the capital of the neighbouring canton of Obwalden.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Sarnen
Beckenried, Wolfenschiessen and Ennetbürgen are Nidwalden municipalities. Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – approx. 276 km²
The canton of Nidwalden covers about 276 km² and is therefore one of the small cantons. Obwalden, at about 491 km², is almost twice as large.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Lake Lucerne
Nidwalden lies on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne. Municipalities such as Hergiswil, Stansstad, Buochs and Beckenried lie directly on the lake.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Stans
The capital Stans, with 8,332 inhabitants (end of 2024), is Nidwalden's most populous municipality. Emmetten, with 1,651 inhabitants, is the smallest of the eleven municipalities.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – approx. 45,000
At the end of 2024 Nidwalden's permanent resident population was 44,931. The share of foreign nationals was about 17%.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Roman Catholic
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious community in Nidwalden; in 2023 just over half of the population belonged to it (about 55%, FSO). Freedom of religion applies, and members of many religions live in the canton.
Source: de.statista.com · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – German
Nidwalden is a German-speaking canton. For naturalization the canton requires German at level B2 oral and B1 written.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – B2 oral and B1 written
For ordinary naturalization Nidwalden requires German at level B2 (speaking, comprehension, reading) and B1 (writing), which is more than the federal minimum (B1 oral, A2 written). Proof is a recognised language certificate unless an exemption applies.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – The authority of the municipality of residence
After the application has been checked by cantonal offices (including the cantonal police), the municipality of residence holds a naturalization interview. It checks whether the person is familiar with living conditions and has basic knowledge of geography and history; the municipal council then decides on municipal citizenship.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – At the Civil Registry and Citizenship Office in Stans
The official application form is submitted with all documents to the cantonal Civil Registry and Citizenship Office (Zivilstandsamt und Bürgerrecht, Marktgasse 3, Stans). Then follow the checks, the interview in the municipality and the decisions of the municipality, the canton and the Confederation.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Pilatus Aircraft
Pilatus Aircraft in Stans employs around 3,000 people (2025) and is by far the canton's largest employer. Many SMEs also shape Nidwalden's economy.
Source: blick.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Hand-blown glass
The Glasi Hergiswil is a well-known glassworks where glass is blown by hand. It is also a popular destination for excursions.
Source: nw.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – A white double key on red
Nidwalden bears a silver (white) double key on a red field. It first appears in 1422 on the banner at Arbedo; Obwalden, by contrast, has a single key on a red-white divided field.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Arnold Winkelried
The Winkelried monument stands on the Stans village square. According to legend, Arnold Winkelried from Nidwalden sacrificed himself at the Battle of Sempach in 1386, enabling the Confederates' victory.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – It has an open upper deck
Opened in 2012, the CabriO cable car up the Stanserhorn is considered the world's first cable car with an open upper deck. Passengers can enjoy the ride in the open air.
Source: swissinfo.ch · Checked October 2026
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