LOS RIOS, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - In the southern regions of Ecuador, erected by dismemberment of the diocese of Guayaquil, on 15 July 1948.
It has an area of 5,950 sq. km., with 200,000 inhabitants, all Catholics. It has 20 parishes, 3 principal stations and 20 secondary ones, served by 8 diocesan and 2 religious priests, assisted by 2 communities of religious women. It has two educational institutions. Charitable works (nurseries, orphanages, hospitals, etc.) are in the process of formation. The mission was first attended to by some secular priests of the diocese of Guayaquil, then by the Maryknoll Fathers (United States), and now it is staffed by the priests of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Missions (Burgos), to whom the vicariate is entrusted.