Simplon (department)
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Simplon (French: [sɛ̃.plɔ̃]) was a department of the First French Empire. It was named after the Simplon Pass (Italian: Passo del Sempione). It was formed in 1810, when the Rhodanic Republic was annexed by France. Its territory corresponded with that of the present-day Swiss canton of Valais.
Quick Facts Department of SimplonDépartement du Simplon (French), Status ...
Department of Simplon | |||||||||
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1810–1813 | |||||||||
Status | Department of the French First Empire | ||||||||
Chef-lieu | Sion 46°11′N 7°41′E | ||||||||
Official languages | French | ||||||||
Historical era | Napoleonic Wars | ||||||||
• Annexation of the Rhodanic Republic | 13 December 1810 | ||||||||
• Occupied by Austrian forces | 29 December 1813 | ||||||||
Area | |||||||||
• 1812 | 5,000[1] km2 (1,900 sq mi) | ||||||||
Population | |||||||||
• 1812 census | 65500[1] | ||||||||
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Today part of | Valais, Switzerland |
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The chef-lieu of the department was Sion. The department was subdivided into the following three arrondissements and cantons:[1]
- Sion: Hérémence, Loèche, Sierre and Sion.
- Brigue: Brigue, Conches, Mœrel, Rarogne and Viège.
- Saint-Maurice: Entremont, Martigny, Monthey and Saint-Maurice.
After the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, the department was admitted to the Swiss Confederation and became the canton of Valais.