Mr. Dowling
The Incas

What characteristics contributed most to the Incan empire?
Largest empire in the Americas-2500 miles along the West Coast of South America-in varied environments (deserts, jungles, Andes Mountains)

Center of the empire is Cuzco (high in the Andes)-holy city to the Incas-area of palaces/temples made of stone with gold ornaments
All nobles tried to visit it at least once in their lifetimes.
Emperor=Sapa Inca-believed to be a god who descended from the Sun God.
The emperor ruled more than 10 million people-sent high officials (governors) to keep the empire organized-made sure all people worked on projects for the state
System of roads to unite the empire-roads included carving into rock cliffs and rope bridges across gorges
Skilled engineers-built massive stone temples/forts
Farming-carved terraces (wide steps of land) into steep mountainsides
Used stone walls to keep rain from washing away the soil
Incan Terrace
Ends in 1530s when the Spanish conquer them.
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