AOSTA, formerly a duchy of Piedmont, but now a province of the kingdom of Sardinia, lying south of Valais and east of Savoy. It has an area of 1025 geographical square miles, and in 1848 contained 81,232 inhabitants. The country is in general mountainous; but there are several valleys of great extent, particularly the Val d'Aosta. By the industry of the inhabitants these low grounds are very fruitful in wine, oil, and pasture; and the mountains abound in iron and copper.