24 practice questions with answers and explanations on the authorities, history, geography and culture of Obwalden. The app has all 404 questions on Obwalden and Switzerland.
Obwalden 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: C – 7
Obwalden comprises seven municipalities: Sarnen, Kerns, Sachseln, Alpnach, Giswil, Lungern and Engelberg. They are listed by name in the cantonal constitution.
Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – 1968
The cantonal constitution of Obwalden is dated 19 May 1968. It has been amended several times since, for example in 1998 when the Landsgemeinde was abolished.
Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – 55
The Kantonsrat has 55 members and is elected by proportional representation (Art. 66 of the cantonal constitution). Seats are allocated to the municipalities according to population; for the 2026–2030 legislature Sarnen has 15, Alpnach and Kerns 9 each, Sachseln 7, Engelberg 6, Giswil 5 and Lungern 4 seats.
Source: gdb.ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – 4
According to the cantonal constitution (Art. 66), each municipality is entitled to at least four seats in the Kantonsrat. This ensures that smaller municipalities are adequately represented; for the 2026–2030 legislature Lungern, the least populous municipality, has exactly four seats.
Source: gdb.ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – 1815
Engelberg was assigned to the canton of Obwalden in 1815. That is why the municipality lies today as an exclave outside the rest of the canton.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Unterwalden
Together with Nidwalden, Obwalden formed the land of Unterwalden. Along with Uri and Schwyz, Unterwalden is regarded as one of the three original cantons; the Federal Charter of 1291 bears the seal of Unterwalden. Lucerne only joined the alliance in 1332.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Niklaus von Flüe
Niklaus von Flüe (1417–1487), called Brother Klaus, lived as a hermit in the Ranft near Flüeli (municipality of Sachseln). He was canonised in 1947 and is regarded as patron saint of Switzerland.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – The Covenant of Stans (Stanser Verkommnis)
In 1481 the Confederation threatened to break apart over disputes between city and rural cantons. Thanks to Brother Klaus's advice the Covenant of Stans was concluded and Fribourg and Solothurn were admitted.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – Sarnen
Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden and seat of the cantonal authorities. Stans is the capital of the neighbouring canton of Nidwalden.
Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Stans
Kerns, Giswil and Lungern are Obwalden municipalities. Stans is in the canton of Nidwalden and is its capital.
Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – Engelberg
Engelberg is separated from the rest of the canton of Obwalden by Nidwalden territory. The municipality only joined Obwalden in 1815.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – approx. 491 km²
The canton of Obwalden covers about 491 km². The neighbouring canton of Nidwalden, at about 276 km², is considerably smaller.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – approx. 40,000
At the end of 2024 Obwalden had 39,662 inhabitants (permanent resident population according to the Federal Statistical Office), i.e. just under 40,000. This makes it one of the least populous cantons in Switzerland.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – The Roman Catholic and the Reformed Church
The cantonal constitution (Art. 3) recognises the Roman Catholic denomination, as the majority faith, and the Protestant Reformed denomination as churches with autonomy under public law. All other religious communities are governed by private law unless recognised by statute; freedom of religion and conscience applies.
Source: gdb.ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – German
Obwalden is a German-speaking canton; in everyday life the Obwalden dialect is spoken. Knowledge of German must be proven for naturalization.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – The BWZ Obwalden vocational and further education centre
According to the information sheet of the Office of Justice, the exam is run by BWZ Obwalden in Sarnen; the Office of Justice defines the course content. The BWZ also offers an optional preparation course of about 15 lessons (approx. CHF 290).
Source: ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Before submitting the naturalization application
According to the official information sheet, the exam must be taken after the language assessment but before the application is submitted. The certificate must be attached to the application and is valid for two years; once the application has been submitted, it remains valid until the procedure is completed.
Source: ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: A – If the minimum score is missed in one of the six question blocks
The exam for people aged 16 and over consists of six question blocks (including the naturalization procedure, rights and duties, geography and history). A minimum score must be reached in every block, otherwise the whole exam is failed. The exam takes about 90 minutes.
Source: ow.ch · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: D – maxon
The maxon group is headquartered in Sachseln. Its motors were used, among others, in the Mars rover Sojourner (1997), the rovers Spirit and Opportunity (2004) and the rover Perseverance (2021). Pilatus Aircraft is based in Stans (NW), Victorinox in Ibach (SZ) and Swatch in Biel/Bienne (BE).
Source: maxongroup.com · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Engelberg-Titlis and Melchsee-Frutt
Tourism is important for Obwalden, especially the ski areas Engelberg-Titlis and Melchsee-Frutt and many mountain railways. Davos-Klosters and Arosa-Lenzerheide are in Graubünden, Braunwald and Elm in the canton of Glarus, and Zermatt and Saas-Fee in Valais.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – Alpnachstad
The Pilatus Railway runs from Alpnachstad (municipality of Alpnach) up Mount Pilatus. With gradients of up to 48% it is considered the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – 1947
Niklaus von Flüe was canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1947. His tomb in Sachseln and the Ranft are still much-visited pilgrimage sites.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: B – Red over white, with a key in counterchanged colours
The Obwalden coat of arms is divided red over white (silver) and shows a single key in counterchanged colours. The white double key on red is the coat of arms of Nidwalden, the black bear on white that of Appenzell, and blue and white divided vertically that of Lucerne.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
Correct answer: C – The Benedictines
Engelberg Abbey was founded in 1120 by Konrad von Sellenbüren and settled with Benedictine monks from Muri Abbey. It has shaped the history of the high valley ever since. The Capuchins and the Jesuits were only founded in the 16th century.
Source: de.wikipedia.org · Checked October 2026
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