The Inca Empire developed in the Andes mountains of South America. The Incas had originally settled in a valley of the around 1100 A.D.

The Incas ruled an empire covering much of present- day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile. By 1400, the Inca began extending their rule across the Andes.

The Incas built roads over 10,000 miles to unite their vast empire. One Incan road was 2,500 miles long!

The Incas built their capital, Cuzco, high in the Andes mountains. The ruins of the ancient Incan capital are found in present-day Peru.

Unlike the Maya, the Inca never developed a form of writing. But they did keep records by using a quipu or knotted rope to count and send messages.

The Incas also invented the crowbar, which is an iron bar used as a lever.

Incan doctors set broken bones and even knew how to perform brain surgery! They also developed medicines from plants.

The Incas were very advanced. They constructed buildings without mortar or cement. Instead, bricks fitted together perfectly.

The Incas also built elaborate terraces to farm on mountains.

It is important to remember that the Incas built a vast empire on mountains. They grew enough food to provide for all subjects of the empire.

The Inca ruler was known as the Sapa Inca. All land belonged to the Sapa Inca. But he let others farm it and pay taxes to the state.

Though the Sapa Inca was considered a god, all people in the Inca Empire were provided for. The sick, the elderly, and the orphan were cared for.

But in 1533, a small group of Spaniards led by Francisco Pizarro attacked and destroyed this mighty empire.

The Incas Location Agriculture Achievements Sapa Inca Roads