The province of Taranto, previously known as the province of the Ionian, is a province in the Apulia region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Taranto. It has an area of 2,437 square kilometres, and a total population of 581,092. The province contains 29 comuni. The coat of arms of the province contains a scorpion, which Pyrrhus is thought to have seen when looking down at Taranto.