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Parma (Province and former duchy)

a province and former duchy of northern Italy; having N. Lombardy, E. Modena, S. and W. Tuscany; area, 3,766 square miles. The surface is diversified, and the soil fertile in the plains. The climate is healthy except in the low-lying districts along the rivers Po, Trebbia, bia, and Enza. Products, maize, wheat, tobacco, hemp and fruits. Numerous cattle are also reared; and it is noted for its cheese from the milk of goats. Minerals, iron, copper, salt, etc.

Manufactures, silk, linen, and cotton goods, paper, glass, gunpowder, brass, etc. Capital, Parma; pop. about 160,000.

During the decline of the Roman empire, Parma became a part of the kingdom of Lombardy. It was taken by Charlemagne, and transferred to the papal see in 774. In 1543 Paul III. erected Parma and Piacenza into a duchy, which he bestowed upon the Farnese family, whose line became extinct in 1731. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, gave possession of Parma to Philip, son of Philip V. and Elizabeth Farnese. In 1815 Parma, Piacenza, and Guastala were formed into a duchy, and bestowed upon Maria Louisa, wife of Napoleon I., with reversion after death to Ferdinand Charles, Duke of Lucca, the son of Maria Louisa of Spain, and the rightful heir. A revolution occurred in 1859, on which Marie Therese de Bourbon, widow of Charles III., and regent for her infant son, left the country, and Parma was annexed to the kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Pop. about 350,000.