CHIQUITOS, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - It is situated in the south-central part of Bolivia.
It has an area of 210,000 sq. km. and a population of approximately 45,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom are Catholics. The Jesuits from Paraguay were the first to work there; when they were expelled in 1767, they left behind more than 20,000 converted Indians. The mission then came under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, from which it was detached in 1930 in order to be erected as an apostolic vicariate entrusted to the Friars Minor.
At present there are 18 priests of the Order of Friars Minor, 5 lay brothers, and 11 sisters of the Third Order of S. Francesco. Religious life is well organized: there are 16 churches, 38 chapels, and several elementary and secondary schools.