Zaruma is known for its republic-era architecture, gold mines, culture and traditions, art and coffee and for having been founded by Spanish explorer Alonso de Mercadillo.

It is believed that one of the few states existing among early settlers was Zarzas, which contained eleven tribes: the Cariamangas, Catacochas, Catamayus, Gonzanamaes, Guachanamaes, Malacatos, Piscobambas, Vilcabambas, Yanganas and Zarumas.

This is supported by the existence of important archeological sites such as Guayquichuma, Chepel, Payama, Trencilla, San Antonio, Chiva Turco, Tocto Shuqin, Guartiguro, among others, all of which have been attributed to the Cañari.

Records say that he crossed the river Pisco Bamba, Catamayo Canton, but on learning of Atahualpa's execution he buried the gold in deep galleries close to the Guatuchi Hacienda in Loja Province.

On 8 December 1595, Captain Damián Meneses (under the orders of García Hurtado de Mendoza, Viceroy of Peru) fulfilled the royal edict and definitively founded Zaruma.

Following the examples of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, a group of Zaruman patriots supported by Cuencan intellectuals declared their independence despite the fierce opposition of the government of Loja.

[4][5] In December 2013, Israeli Ambassador Eliyahu Yerushalmi officially visited the governor of El Oro, hosting several councillors in the presence of the mayor Danilo Astudillo Mora, the main local authorities, representatives of institutions, schools and student delegations symbolically handing over the keys of the city.

Jose Reyes Aguilar, head of the University of Quevedo, also presented some views on the reality of the livestock sector and the future agreements established with Israel.

The Israeli Ambassador took the floor to congratulate the authorities and its people for preserving a wonderful, pleasant and unique city, which identifies its Sephardic descent, and offered to build international relations in the areas of technology and education.