Ancient
Cultures
The
Shuars have
inhabited
the province
for hundreds
of years.
The Shuar
culture has
survived,
intact with
its traditions
and customs
until today,
extending
their influence
to neighbouring
provinces.
The
Arrival of
the Spanish
The
Spanish arrived
believing
that this
area was El
Dorado . Spanish
captains,
therefore,
arrived there
expecting
to find gold
mines. To
secure their
domination
over the area,
villages and
towns were
founded by
the Spanish,
who suffered
due to attacks
by the indigenous
populations.
One of the
towns founded
by them was
Zamora , which
leads to Loja.
Independence
The
end of the
colonial era
did not change
the fact that
the region
stood basically
isolated and
abandoned.
In many cases,
the Ecuadorian
jungle was
a haven for
rebels wanting
to escape
the government.
On 15 th December
1920 the province
of Santiago-Zamora
was created
with Macas
as the capital.
The foundation
of Zamora-Chinchipe
as an independent
province took
place on 10
th November
1953.
Due to its
location in
the extreme
south, the
province has
been the scene
of numerous
border conflicts
with Peru
. Battles
have taken
place in Paquisha,
Mayaicu and
Machinaza.
Last
Updated 23rd
August 2006
(DLW)
