I divided Ecuador's history in 4 major eras:

Aboriginal Era  (30000 BC - 1532 AD)  


comprises the time, when the continent got populated and before the arrival of the Spaniards. Many small indigenous cultures were spread out throughout the country with commerce happening between the coastal Indians to the Highland Indians and into the Amazon. Agriculture was the mainstay of many but they also knew the use of pottery and metalwork. Beginning before 1500 conquest and influence by the Inca Empire, mostly felt in the Andes region.

Spanish Colony ( 1531 - 1830 ) 


In 1531 Spaniards, who were already established in Mexico and the Caribbean Islands, landed from Panama by boat on an South American shore. After defeating the Inca Empire and subjugating the native population, the Spanish crown established their rule over the continent with help of Spanish colonists and the Catholic church. Quito was an important cultural and administrative center in the colonial times.

Independence ( 1830 - 1979 ) 


Forces for the independence of Spanish America from the mother country, led by Simon Bolivar and Mariscal Sucre defeated the loyalists and established independent republics as known today throughout the continent. Governments frequently changed from elected presidents to military dictatorships and back.

Modern Times ( 1979 and counting ) 


In 1979, when seemingly for the last time the military abandoned political office and Ecuador converted itself back to a presidential democracy. Although oil was found earlier and started to be exported and the country is rich in other resources, economic difficulties could not be resolved and a large part of the population still lives in poverty.