PARMA, the duchy of, a province of Italy, bounded on the north by the Po; on the north-east by the Mantuan; on the east by the duchy of Modena; on the south by Tuscany; and on the west by the duchy of Placentia. The air is very wholesome, on which account the inhabitants live to a great age. The soil is very fertile in corn, wine, oil, and hemp; the pastures feed a great number of cattle, and the cheese is in very high esteem. Here are considerable mines of copper and silver.