MORONDAVA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It is situated on the western coast of Madagascar and was erected on 18 Jan. 1938 with territory taken from the apostolic vicariates of Majunga, Fianarantsoa, Antsirabè, and from the mission sui iuris of Miarinarivo, which was still considered part of the apostolic vicariate of Tananarivo. On 15 March 1939 it received certain territories from the mission of Miarinarivo, which were subsequently ceded back, on 9 June 1950, to the apostolic prefecture of Tsiroanomandidy, namely the civil districts of Maintirano and Morafenobe.
The climate on the coast is unhealthy, but in the mountains it is very healthful. Its area does not reach 200,000 sq. km., and the population is approximately 220,000, of whom 20,553 are Catholics and 1,623 catechumens. There work 13 missionaries of La Salette, 7 brothers, 29 nuns, 215 catechists, and 33 teachers. Primary stations, 7; secondary stations, 8. Churches, 13; chapels, 208. Elementary schools, 24; one middle school, one vocational school, and one orphanage.