BANKA and BILLITON, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. - Systematic evangelization began in 1912, when the islands of B. and B. (Dutch East Indies), together with nearly the entire Riouw archipelago, were incorporated into the Apostolic Prefecture of Sumatra, from which the Prefecture of B. and B. was later detached on 27 December 1923. In 1824, the Picpusian missionaries arrived there.
The territory, which includes the aforementioned islands and archipelago with their dependencies, covers an area of 26,933 sq. km.; the total population is approximately 456,500 inhabitants, of whom 1,959 are Catholics and 95 catechumens; about 1,500 Protestants, about 275,000 Muslims (Malays), and about 180,000 pagans. In the six primary and five secondary stations, there are 17 priests, 11 brothers, and 14 sisters. There are 4 elementary schools with 1,124 pupils. The new political situation creates no small difficulties for the apostolate, especially in the field of education.