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Obwalden is officially known only as Obwalden, with no other common names in German or other Swiss national languages.
Answer: False
Explanation: The canton is also known as Obwald, and has distinct names in German, Romansh, French, and Italian, reflecting Switzerland's linguistic diversity.
Sarnen serves as both the capital city and the seat of government and parliament for the Canton of Obwalden.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sarnen is explicitly identified as the capital of Obwalden and the seat of its government and parliament.
The Canton of Obwalden is comprised of ten distinct municipalities, each responsible for local governance.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Canton of Obwalden is composed of seven municipalities, not ten.
As of December 2020, Obwalden's population exceeded 40,000 residents, indicating significant growth.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of December 2020, the total population of Obwalden was 38,108 residents, which is less than 40,000.
Obwalden's total geographical area is approximately 490.58 square kilometers, making it one of Switzerland's larger cantons.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the area is 490.58 square kilometers, the source explicitly states this makes it one of the smaller cantons in Switzerland.
The primary official language of Obwalden is French, reflecting its historical ties to western Switzerland.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary official language of the Canton of Obwalden is German.
Titlis, at 3,238 meters, is the highest point in Obwalden, while Lake Lucerne, at 434 meters, is its lowest.
Answer: True
Explanation: Titlis is indeed the highest point at 3,238 meters, and Lake Lucerne is the lowest at 434 meters.
Obwalden is located in Eastern Switzerland and is bordered by the canton of Zurich to the north.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obwalden is located in Central Switzerland and is bordered by Lucerne, Nidwalden, Uri, and Bern, but not Zurich.
The geographical center of Switzerland is located within Obwalden, which also includes an exclave around Engelberg.
Answer: True
Explanation: Obwalden contains the geographical center of Switzerland and includes an exclave around Engelberg.
In 2010, foreign nationals constituted less than 10% of Obwalden's resident population.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2010, 12.9% of Obwalden's population were resident foreign nationals, which is more than 10%.
Between 2000 and 2010, migration was the primary factor contributing to Obwalden's population growth, accounting for 5.7% of the change.
Answer: True
Explanation: Migration accounted for 5.7% of the population change, while births and deaths contributed 2.5%, making migration the primary factor.
According to the 2000 census, Italian was one of the three most common first languages spoken in Obwalden.
Answer: False
Explanation: The three most common first languages in 2000 were German, Albanian, and Serbo-Croatian; Italian was not among them.
As of 2000, over half of Obwalden's population was born within the canton itself.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2000, 45.8% of Obwalden's population was born within the canton, which is less than half.
According to the 2000 census, the predominant religious affiliation in Obwalden was Protestant.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to the 2000 census, the vast majority (80.2%) of Obwalden's population identified as Roman Catholic.
What is the capital city of the Canton of Obwalden?
Answer: Sarnen
Explanation: Sarnen is the capital of the Canton of Obwalden and the seat of its government and parliament.
How many municipalities comprise the Canton of Obwalden?
Answer: Seven
Explanation: The Canton of Obwalden is composed of seven municipalities.
What was the total population of Obwalden as of December 2020?
Answer: 38,108 residents
Explanation: As of December 2020, the total population of the Canton of Obwalden was 38,108 residents.
What is the primary official language spoken in the Canton of Obwalden?
Answer: German
Explanation: The primary official language of the Canton of Obwalden is German.
Which mountain is the highest point in Obwalden?
Answer: Titlis
Explanation: Titlis, at 3,238 meters, is the highest point in Obwalden.
Which of the following cantons does NOT share a border with Obwalden?
Answer: Zurich
Explanation: Obwalden is bordered by Lucerne, Nidwalden, Uri, and Bern, but not Zurich.
What percentage of Obwalden's population were resident foreign nationals in 2010?
Answer: 12.9%
Explanation: As of 2010, 12.9% of Obwalden's population were resident foreign nationals.
According to the 2000 census, which language was the most common first language spoken in Obwalden?
Answer: German
Explanation: According to the 2000 census, German was the most common first language spoken in Obwalden (92.3%).
According to the 2000 census, what was the predominant religious affiliation in Obwalden?
Answer: Roman Catholic
Explanation: According to the 2000 census, 80.2% of Obwalden's population identified as Roman Catholic.
What percentage of Obwalden's population had completed non-mandatory upper secondary education as of 2000?
Answer: 35.8%
Explanation: As of 2000, approximately 35.8% of Obwalden's population had completed non-mandatory upper secondary education.
Obwalden was one of the original participants in the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy, joining in 1291.
Answer: True
Explanation: Obwalden joined the Swiss Confederation in 1291 and is considered one of the original participants, as indicated by its name on the seal of the Eternal Alliance.
Obwalden and Nidwalden historically formed the territory of Unterwalden, one of the three original participants in the Old Swiss Confederacy.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historically, Obwalden and Nidwalden together formed Unterwalden, which was one of the three original participants in the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy.
The earliest archaeological evidence of human presence in Obwalden is a Roman coin hoard from the 1st century AD.
Answer: False
Explanation: The earliest archaeological trace found is a stone knife dating from the 8th millennium BC, not a Roman coin hoard.
Horgen culture sites from the 4th millennium BC in Obwalden show evidence of permanent agricultural settlements.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Horgen culture sites exist, no evidence of agriculture or permanent settlements has been found for that period.
A Roman estate in Alpnach was destroyed by fire in 270 AD, indicating a significant Roman presence in the region.
Answer: True
Explanation: A Roman estate in Alpnach, constructed in the late 1st century AD, had its main building destroyed by fire in 270 AD.
The Alamanni migration into Obwalden around 700 AD led to the immediate displacement of all Gallo-Romans, resulting in a purely Germanic population by the 8th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Alamanni and Gallo-Roman populations intermarried and became Germanized by the 9th century, not through immediate displacement by the 8th century.
During the Early Middle Ages, the majority of land in Obwalden was controlled by local noble families, not religious institutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Early Middle Ages, much of the land in Obwalden was controlled by monasteries, such as Murbach-Lucerne and Beromünster Abbey.
Engelberg Abbey gained de facto control over the appointment of parish priests in Obwalden by 1415, and de jure authority by 1460.
Answer: True
Explanation: Engelberg Abbey acquired de facto control over parish priest appointments by 1415, which became de jure authority by 1460.
The Eternal Alliance of 1291 explicitly named Obwalden as a founding member in its document text, alongside Uri and Schwyz.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Obwalden participated, it was named on the seal appended to the document, not explicitly in the document's text.
Emperor Henry VII's confirmation in 1309 granted Unterwalden imperial immediacy, placing it on equal political footing with Uri and Schwyz.
Answer: True
Explanation: Emperor Henry VII's confirmation in 1309 granted Unterwalden imperial immediacy, ensuring its equal political standing with Uri and Schwyz.
The Landsgemeinde in Obwalden played a role in strengthening the power of the nobility during the 14th century by confirming their political offices.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Landsgemeinde actually weakened the power of the nobility by excluding the Hunwil nobles from political and court offices in 1382.
In what year did Obwalden officially join the Swiss Confederation?
Answer: 1291
Explanation: Obwalden joined the Swiss Confederation in 1291 as one of the original participants.
What is the earliest archaeological trace found in Obwalden?
Answer: A stone knife from the 8th millennium BC
Explanation: The earliest archaeological trace found in Obwalden is a stone knife dating from the 8th millennium BC.
What happened to the Roman estate unearthed in Alpnach in 270 AD?
Answer: Its main building was destroyed by fire.
Explanation: The Roman estate in Alpnach had its main building destroyed by fire in 270 AD.
By what century did the Alamanni and Gallo-Roman populations in Obwalden become Germanized through intermarriage?
Answer: 9th century
Explanation: The Alamanni and Gallo-Roman populations intermarried and became Germanized by the 9th century.
Which institutions controlled much of the land in Obwalden during the Early Middle Ages?
Answer: Monasteries like Murbach-Lucerne and Beromünster Abbey
Explanation: During the Early Middle Ages, much of the land in Obwalden was controlled by monasteries, particularly Murbach-Lucerne and Beromünster Abbey.
What was Obwalden's role in the Eternal Alliance formed on August 1, 1291?
Answer: It was named on the seal appended to the document, indicating participation.
Explanation: Obwalden was named on the seal appended to the document of the Eternal Alliance, indicating its participation as a founding member.
What significant political status did Emperor Henry VII grant to Unterwalden in 1309?
Answer: Imperial immediacy
Explanation: Emperor Henry VII granted Unterwalden imperial immediacy in 1309, placing it on equal political footing with Uri and Schwyz.
How did the Landsgemeinde in Obwalden impact the nobility in 1382?
Answer: It excluded the Hunwil nobles from holding political or court offices.
Explanation: The Landsgemeinde excluded the Hunwil nobles from holding political or court offices in 1382, shifting power towards the communities.
Between 1798 and 1803, Obwalden was known as the Canton of Sarnen within the Helvetic Republic.
Answer: False
Explanation: Between 1798 and 1803, Obwalden was known as the District of Sarnen within the short-lived Canton of Waldstätten, not the Canton of Sarnen.
The Amstalden Affair of 1478 involved Obwalden's successful support for a rebellion against Lucerne, leading to territorial gains.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Amstalden Affair involved Obwalden's support for a failed rebellion against Lucerne, which did not result in territorial gains.
The Stanser Verkommnis in 1481 was a resolution that helped calm internal conflicts within the Old Swiss Confederation and led to the admission of Fribourg and Solothurn.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Stanser Verkommnis in 1481 successfully resolved internal conflicts within the Confederation and facilitated the admission of Fribourg and Solothurn.
Obwalden embraced the Protestant Reformation in 1528, aligning itself with Bernese Oberhasli.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obwalden firmly opposed the Protestant Reformation and even sent troops to force the Bernese Oberhasli region to maintain Catholicism.
The Second War of Kappel resulted in a victory for the Catholic cantons, including Obwalden, and the death of reformer Huldrych Zwingli.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Second War of Kappel indeed resulted in a victory for the Catholic cantons and the death of Huldrych Zwingli.
Obwalden immediately rejected the Helvetic Republic in 1798 and was the last original canton to resist French forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obwalden initially accepted the Helvetic Republic in 1798, though it was later pressured to resist French forces.
The Act of Mediation in 1803 introduced universal male suffrage at age 18 and abolished military service in Obwalden.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Act of Mediation raised the voting age to 20 and required military service at age 20, rather than abolishing it or introducing universal suffrage at 18.
Engelberg joined Obwalden in 1815, and its traditional rights were partially guaranteed in the cantonal constitution.
Answer: True
Explanation: Engelberg joined Obwalden in 1815, and the cantonal constitution documents of 1815 and 1816 partially guaranteed the traditional rights of the Abbey and its community.
Obwalden joined the Sonderbund in 1843 as a response to liberal and radical reforms proposed by the Federal Diet.
Answer: True
Explanation: Obwalden joined the Sonderbund in 1843 as a conservative and Catholic response to liberal and radical reforms proposed by the Federal Diet.
Following the Sonderbund War, Obwalden's old government remained in power, and no significant reforms were enacted.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the Sonderbund War, the old government was replaced with a liberal one, and reforms were enacted, including the removal of the Landammann.
The 1867 cantonal constitution significantly strengthened the special privileges of the Landmann and restricted the rights of Reformed churches.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1867 constitution actually weakened the special privileges of the Landammann and granted some rights to Reformed churches, including the right to operate their own schools.
What was the 'Amstalden Affair' in 1478?
Answer: Obwalden's support for a failed rebellion against Lucerne.
Explanation: The Amstalden Affair involved Obwalden's support for Peter Amstalden's failed rebellion against Lucerne.
What was the significance of the Stanser Verkommnis in 1481?
Answer: It resolved internal conflicts within the Confederation and led to new admissions.
Explanation: The Stanser Verkommnis in 1481 resolved internal conflicts within the Old Swiss Confederation and led to the admission of Fribourg and Solothurn.
How did Obwalden react to the Protestant Reformation in 1528?
Answer: It sent troops to force a neighboring region to maintain Catholicism.
Explanation: Obwalden firmly opposed the Protestant Reformation and sent troops to force the Bernese Oberhasli region to maintain Catholicism.
What was a key change implemented in Obwalden following the Act of Mediation in 1803?
Answer: Distinctions between citizens and resident aliens were eliminated.
Explanation: The Act of Mediation in 1803 granted equal rights to all residents, eliminating distinctions between citizens and resident aliens.
When did the municipality of Engelberg join Obwalden?
Answer: 1815
Explanation: The municipality of Engelberg joined Obwalden in 1815.
Why did Obwalden join the Sonderbund in 1843?
Answer: To form a separate alliance in response to radical constitutional changes.
Explanation: Obwalden joined the Sonderbund in 1843 as a response to liberal and radical constitutional changes proposed by the Federal Diet.
What was the immediate political consequence for Obwalden after the Sonderbund War in 1847?
Answer: The old government was replaced with a liberal one.
Explanation: After the Sonderbund War, Obwalden's old government was replaced with a liberal one, and reforms were enacted.
What significant change did the 1867 cantonal constitution introduce regarding Reformed churches in Obwalden?
Answer: It granted them the right to operate their own schools.
Explanation: The 1867 cantonal constitution granted Reformed churches the right to operate their own schools.
Obwalden is traditionally considered a 'full-canton' with full representation in all federal bodies, unlike its historical counterpart Nidwalden.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obwalden is traditionally considered a 'half-canton' and, as such, sends only one deputy to the Council of States, unlike full cantons which send two.
The 1922 constitutional revision in Obwalden introduced secret ballots for certain laws, further diminishing the open Landsgemeinde's power.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1922 revision introduced secret ballots for constitutional, legal, and tax laws, shifting decision-making from open assembly to private voting and thus diminishing the Landsgemeinde's power.
Women were granted voting rights in Obwalden in 1983, the same year the voting age was lowered to eighteen.
Answer: False
Explanation: Women were granted voting rights in 1972, and the voting age was lowered to eighteen in 1983.
The traditional Landsgemeinde assembly in Obwalden was abolished in 1998, marking the end of open-air voting.
Answer: True
Explanation: The traditional Landsgemeinde assembly was indeed abolished in Obwalden in 1998.
As a half-canton, Obwalden sends two deputies to the Council of States, similar to full cantons.
Answer: False
Explanation: As a half-canton, Obwalden sends only one deputy to the Council of States, unlike full cantons which send two.
The Christian Social Party of Obwalden (CSP OW) was the most popular party in the 2011 federal election, receiving over half of the vote.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Christian Social Party of Obwalden (CSP OW) received 56.9% of the vote in the 2011 federal election, making it the most popular party.
In the 2010 Cantonal Council election, the Christian Democrats gained three seats, solidifying their majority.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 2010 Cantonal Council election, the Christian Democrats lost three seats, though they remained the largest party.
What was Obwalden's traditional historical designation within the Swiss Confederation?
Answer: A half-canton
Explanation: Obwalden is traditionally considered a 'half-canton' within the Swiss Confederation.
When were women first allowed to vote in cantonal elections in Obwalden?
Answer: 1972
Explanation: Women were first allowed to vote in cantonal elections in Obwalden in 1972.
What was the fate of the traditional Landsgemeinde assembly in Obwalden?
Answer: It was abolished in 1998.
Explanation: The traditional Landsgemeinde assembly in Obwalden was abolished in 1998.
What is the primary difference in political representation for Obwalden as a half-canton?
Answer: It sends only one deputy to the Council of States.
Explanation: As a half-canton, Obwalden sends only one deputy to the Council of States, unlike full cantons which send two.
Which political party was the most popular in Obwalden during the 2011 federal election?
Answer: The Christian Social Party of Obwalden (CSP OW)
Explanation: The Christian Social Party of Obwalden (CSP OW) was the most popular party in the 2011 federal election, receiving 56.9% of the vote.
Who was Dorothea Wyss?
Answer: The wife of Niklaus von Flüe, the patron saint of Switzerland.
Explanation: Dorothea Wyss was the wife of Niklaus von Flüe, who is recognized as the patron saint of Switzerland.
In 2020, Obwalden's GDP per capita was approximately CHF 67,453, indicating a high level of economic prosperity.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2020, Obwalden's GDP per capita was CHF 67,453, which is presented as an indicator of economic prosperity.
Obwalden's economy is primarily driven by large multinational corporations specializing in heavy industry.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obwalden's economy is predominantly driven by small and middle-sized businesses specializing in niche areas, not large multinational corporations in heavy industry.
In 2007, Obwalden implemented a flat 1.8% income tax, which was the highest in the country at the time.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2007, Obwalden implemented a flat 1.8% income tax, which was noted as the lowest in the country, not the highest.
The unemployment rate in Obwalden in 2010 was 1.5%, indicating a very low level of joblessness.
Answer: True
Explanation: The unemployment rate in Obwalden in 2010 was 1.5%, which is generally considered a low level of joblessness.
In 2008, the tertiary sector accounted for the largest number of full-time equivalent jobs in Obwalden.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2008, the tertiary sector accounted for 8,050 full-time equivalent jobs, which was the largest number compared to the primary and secondary sectors.
The majority of Obwalden's working population used public transportation for commuting in 2008.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2008, 54.6% of the working population used a private car for commuting, while only 10.7% used public transportation.
Mount Pilatus and Titlis are primary mountain attractions for tourists in Obwalden, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mount Pilatus and Titlis are indeed main mountain attractions, and tourism is a major sector of Obwalden's economy.
What was Obwalden's GDP per capita in 2020?
Answer: CHF 67,453
Explanation: In 2020, Obwalden's GDP per capita was CHF 67,453.
What types of businesses primarily drive Obwalden's economy?
Answer: Small and middle-sized businesses specializing in niche areas
Explanation: Obwalden's economy is predominantly driven by small and middle-sized businesses specializing in niche areas.
What change did Obwalden implement regarding its income tax system in 2007?
Answer: It introduced a flat 1.8% income tax.
Explanation: In 2007, Obwalden replaced its regressive income tax system with a flat 1.8% income tax.
What was the unemployment rate in Obwalden in 2010?
Answer: 1.5%
Explanation: The unemployment rate in Obwalden in 2010 was 1.5%.
Which economic sector accounted for the largest number of full-time equivalent jobs in Obwalden in 2008?
Answer: Tertiary sector (services)
Explanation: In 2008, the tertiary sector accounted for the largest number of full-time equivalent jobs (8,050) in Obwalden.
What percentage of the working population in Obwalden used a private car for commuting?
Answer: 54.6%
Explanation: In 2008, 54.6% of the working population in Obwalden used a private car for commuting.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a popular winter sports resort in Obwalden?
Answer: Zermatt
Explanation: Engelberg, Melchsee-Frutt, and Lungern-Schönbüel are mentioned as popular winter sports resorts in Obwalden, but Zermatt is not.