AYSÉN, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - In South America. This prefecture was erected on 17 Feb. 1940, by the division of the southern part of the diocese of
S. Carlo di Ancud (Chile). It comprises the province of A. (Chilean Patagonia), between 43° and 48° south latitude. Area of the territory: 110,000 sq. km., including the islands. Part of the territory is still unexplored. The inhabitants (about 20,000), almost all of white race, are of Spanish stock; few are Indians (properly mestizos), descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Patagonia and Araucania. Common language: Spanish. There is a numerous colony of Catholic Arabs, originally from the Mediterranean East, engaged in trade. Principal centres: Puerto A. (pop. 3,500) and Coyhaique (over 2,000); smaller centres, separated by enormous distances and connected by very few means of communication: Balmaceda (pop. 500), Chilechico (400), Puerto Ibáñez, Rio Claro, Palena, Futaleufú, Chaitén, etc.
The first missionaries (three religious and two brothers), belonging to the Venetian province of the Servants of Mary, to whom the prefecture is entrusted, left Italy on 15 Aug. 1937, invited by the bishop of S. Carlo di Ancud, Msgr. Ramón Munita Eyzaguirre. At present there are 5 priests and an equal number of brothers, assisted by 12 nuns.