ARAUCA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE. — This prefecture, erected in Colombia (South America) by decree of the S. Congregation of the Council of 26 May 1915, through the detachment of the northern Casanare (v.) on the left bank of the river of the same name, is entrusted to the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists). The prefecture extends between 6° and 7° south latitude and 71° to 75° west longitude (Paris). The eastern region consists of a vast, slightly uneven marshy plain (average elevation 250 m above sea level); the western region is mountainous (1500–3000 m above sea level) and populated. Principal centres: Chita (18,000 inhabitants), Arauca (3,000), La Salina (2,000), Tame (1,500). Area of the territory: approximately 40,000 sq. km; total population: approximately 34,600 inhabitants, including approximately 30,000 white Catholics (as well as 1,500 mestizos and 70 foreigners); 60 Protestants and approximately 3,000 pagans.
In 1939 pastoral care was conducted by 7 Lazarist priests and 2 brothers, assisted by 21 sisters of the Daughters of Charity of s. Vincenzo de' Paoli, assigned especially to the 7 schools of Tame and the 3 of Chita. Moral and religious progress is notable in the parishes of Chita and La Salina; elsewhere the condition of the mission is deplorable because of the widespread immorality, ignorance, or religious indifference of the inhabitants.