PORTO MALDONADO, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — In Peru, it was erected as the apostolic prefecture of S. Domenico di Urubamba on 5 February 1900, together with the other two apostolic prefectures of S. Leone delle Amazzoni and S. Francesco dell'Urayal, all in the country’s still-wild region, and entrusted to the Dominicans.
On 4 July 1913, the prefecture was elevated to an apostolic vicariate with the addition of the department of Madre de Dios, and its name was consequently changed to that of the apostolic vicariate of Urubamba and Madre de Dios. On 10 March 1949, it was given the name of P. M., the see of the Ordinary, and the Peruvian region of Alto Purus was assigned to it, while that of Alto Yuruá, as far as the watershed of the basins of the Yuruá and Curanja rivers, was annexed to the apostolic vicariate of Urayali.
It has an area of approximately 180,000 sq. km, situated in the forest region of the Amazonian zone. It is also watered by the Madre de Dios and Urubamba rivers and by many others, which are almost the only means of communication. The temperature is tropical, very hot and humid. The soil is highly fertile.
The number of inhabitants is very uncertain. Some put it at 42,000, of whom 36,000 would be civilized, for the most part Catholics. The other 6,000 are animists and a few Protestants. Others, more probably, speak of 20,000 or 25,000 inhabitants, in which case the number of Catholics must be reduced proportionately. The animists are still uncivilized, divided into various tribes. There are 21 missionaries distributed among the 7 quasi-parishes, assisted by the missionary Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary. There are 1 hospital, 1 dispensary, 4 orphanages, 30 industrial schools, and 15 elementary schools. Catholic Action is still in its beginnings.