History

The area presently known as Ecuador had a long history before the arrival of Europeans. The first pieces of pottery found are as old as 3500 BC but it seems that people had settled in the area as early as 12,000 BC.

By 1400 AD, the territory of Ecuador was divided into several states, some with a lot of power and territory like the coastal Manteño-Huancavilca. In the early 15^th century several high land states unified (Caranqui, Cara, Panzaleo, Puruhae, Cañari) and began to expand in the northern and central Sierra. At approximately the same time, both the larger Chimu nation of northern coastal Peru and the growing Inca state centered in Cuzco began to exert influence and pressure.

The Incas conquered the region but, after a brief period, the Spanish arrived bringing their system of government and the Christian religion. Ecuador then turned into one of the most important cultural centers of the region. Ecuador's early history as a nation was a tormented one, it initially formed, together with Colombia and Venezuela, the confederation of Gran Colombia, though this only lasted for eight years. Since it became an independent republic, it has had various episodes of significant changes to the government and system. In spite of all this, Ecuador has always kept the good will and the friendship that has made this country so unique.