Taro (French: [ta.ʁo]) was a department of the First French Empire in present-day Italy. It was named after the Taro River. It was formed in 1808, when the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza was annexed by France under the Treaty of Lunéville. Its capital was Parma.

Taro
Dipartimento del Taro (Italian)
Département du Taro (French)
department of the First French Empire
1808–1814
Flag of Taro
Flag
Coat of arms of Taro
Coat of arms

Administrative map of the Italian portion of the French Empire.
CapitalParma
Area
 • Coordinates44°48′N 10°20′E / 44.800°N 10.333°E / 44.800; 10.333
 
• 1812[1]
5,022.36 km2 (1,939.14 sq mi)
Population 
• 1812[1]
376,558
History 
• Annexion from the Duchy of Parma
1808
1814
Political subdivisions3 Arrondissements [1]
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Duchy of Parma
Duchy of Parma

The department was disbanded after the defeat of Napoleon in 1814. At the Congress of Vienna, the Duchy was restored and given to Marie Louise, Napoleon's wife. Its territory is now divided between the Italian provinces of Parma and Piacenza.

The most notable person born in the then-Département of Taro was the composer Giuseppe Verdi (born 9 or 10 October 1813 in the village of Le Roncole near Busseto).

Subdivision

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The department was subdivided into the following arrondissements and cantons (situation in 1812):[1]

Its population in 1812 was 376,558, and its area was approximately 502,236 hectares.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Almanach Impérial an bissextil MDCCCXII, p. 474-475, accessed in Gallica 18 August 2013 (in French)