Inca Empire
Definition
The Inca Empire was a vast political entity that existed in western South America from the 15th to the 16th century. It was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
Analogy
Consider the Inca Empire like a huge corporation with its headquarters located high up in mountainous terrain (Cusco). This corporation had an efficient communication system (runners), advanced road networks, and even food storage facilities across its territory.
Related terms
Quipu: An ancient Incan device for recording information, made of variously colored threads knotted differently ways.
Terrace Farming: A type of farming that consists of different "steps" or terraces, used extensively by the Incas due to their mountainous terrain.
Machu Picchu: An ancient Incan city set high up on Andes Mountains; it's one of the most famous archaeological sites worldwide.
"Inca Empire" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (4)
Practice Questions (2)
- Which conquistador is known for leading the Spanish colonization efforts against the Inca Empire?
- If the Inca Empire had developed a system of writing before the Spanish conquest, how might this have affected their ability to resist Spanish colonization?
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