Taro (department)

Département du Taro
Département of First French Empire
← 1808–1814 →
Flag Coat of arms
Administrative map of French Empire in 1812. Taro (department) is on the lower right corner.
Capital		Parma 44°48′N 10°20′E / 44.800°N 10.333°E / 44.800; 10.333Coordinates: 44°48′N 10°20′E / 44.800°N 10.333°E / 44.800; 10.333
History
-	Annexion from the Duchy of Parma	1808
-	Treaty of Paris	1814
Area
-	1812[1]	5,022.36 km2 (1,939 sq mi)
Population
-	1812[1]	376,558
	Density	75 /km2  (194.2 /sq mi)
Political subdivisions		3 Arrondissements [1]

Taro is the name of a département of the First French Empire in present Italy. It was named after the Taro river. It was formed in 1808, when the states of Parma and Piacenza were annexed by France. Its capital was Parma. The département was subdivided into the following arrondissements and cantons (situation in 1812):^[1]

• Parma, cantons: Colorno, Corniglio, San Donato, Fornovo, Langhirano, San Pancrazio, Parma (2 cantons), Poviglio, Sissa, Traversetolo and Vairo.
• Piacenza (French: Plaisance), cantons: Agazzano, Bettola, Borgonovo, Castel San Giovanni, Pianello, Piacenza (2 cantons), Ponte dell'Olio, Pontenure, Rivergaro and Rottofreno.
• Borgo San Donnino, cantons: Bardi, Borgo San Donnino, Busseto, Carpaneto, Cortemaggiore, Fiorenzuola, Fontanellato, Lugagnano, Monticelli, Noceto, Pellegrino, San Secondo and Zibello.

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

It was disbanded after the defeat of Napoleon in 1814. Its territory is presently divided over the Italian provinces Parma and Piacenza. The most notable person born in the Département of Taro was the composer Giuseppe Verdi (born 9 or 10 October 1813 in the village of Le Roncole near Busseto).

References