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Ecuador Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Ecuador's history.
3500 B.C. – 500 B.C.
The first permanent settlements are built in the area.1400s A.D.
Incas from Peru invade what is now Ecuador and conquer the natives.1526 – 1534
The Spanish conquistadores land in northern Ecuador and overthrow the Incan empire. The area comes under Spanish control.1822
Ecuador achieves independence from Spain and joins Venezuela, Panama and Colombia as part of the Gran Colombia republic. In 1830, Ecuador becomes an independent country.
GETTY IMAGES
1835
Charles Darwin visits the Galapagos Islands, where he studies animals and plants and develops his theories of evolution.1925 - 1948
The country has many political, social, and economic problems. There are 22 presidents; not one serves a complete term.1941
Peru takes control of Ecuador's Amazon region, and the two countries go to war. The disagreement continues through much of the 20th century.1970s
Ecuador begins producing oil and becomes one of the largest oil exporters in the world.1979
Democracy returns to Ecuador. A new constitution is adopted, and elections are held.1996
Ecuador wins its first Olympic medal when Cuenca-native Jefferson Perez takes the Gold in race-walking.1998
Ecuador and Peru sign a peace treaty, ending their border dispute.2000
In an effort to aid the economy, the U.S. dollar is adopted as Ecuador's official currency.
GETTY IMAGES
2001
A state of emergency is declared after an oil spill off the coast of the Galapagos Islands threatens the rare species there. Read the story.2003
Lucio Gutierrez becomes Ecuador's president and continues efforts to reform the country's political structure.
RODRIGO BUENDIA—AFP/GETTY IMAGES