Together with Obwalden, Nidwalden was part of the forest canton of Unterwalden, one of the three participants in the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy, named in the Pact of Brunnen of 1315 with Uri and Schwyz.

The division of Unterwalden into two separate territories, Obwalden and Nidwalden, appears to develop over the course of the 14th and 15th centuries.

The earliest traces of human settlement date to the Neolithic with sites found near Stansstad that are from 4000 to 3100 BC.

While there are few artifacts from the population, many names of the towns, rivers and mountains have either Celtic or Gallo-Roman roots.

At this time a Roman Catholic church was built in Stans, most likely founded by an Alemanni noble family.

For example, Obwalden did not participate in the annexation of Bellinzona, Riviera and Blenio areas (today located in the canton of Ticino).

[citation needed] Under the Helvetic Republic imposed in 1798 by French Revolutionary troops, Switzerland became a united country.

The ideas of the French Revolution were not popular in some parts of the Swiss nation including Nidwalden.

When rebel forces threatened the Republic, Nidwalden was attacked by French troops on 9 September 1798.

To the north it is bounded by the Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), to all other directions by mountain chains (Urner Alps).

WWF rating: 1.9 ("blocked")[9] The World Wildlife Fund commissioned a study into the energy policies of all Swiss cantons .

There are eleven municipalities: Beckenried, Buochs, Dallenwil, Emmetten, Ennetbürgen, Ennetmoos, Hergiswil, Oberdorf, Stans, Stansstad and Wolfenschiessen.

Many specialize in machine construction, medical equipment, international trade, optics and electronics.

[citation needed] This is caused by its low taxes, its central location between Zürich and Milan, and its natural environment.

Major resorts include Klewenalp, Stanserhorn (mountain), the region around Bannalp, and Bürgenstock.