Maya Empire 300 c.e- 900 c.e Location: Yucatan Peninsula (parts of Mexico and Guatemala) Religion: polytheistic, sacrifices performed Famous city: Tikal and Chichen Itza (location of the famous ball court) Contributions/inventions/innovations: calendar, ball court, writing system based on hieroglyphics The Mayan Empire mysteriously disappeared. Could have been caused by a natural disaster, but historians are still not sure. http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-civilizations/videos#the-mayans

Aztec Empire 1325-1519 Location: Mexico Religion: polytheistic, sacrifices performed Famous city: Tenochtitlan, built on an island in the center of Lake Texcoco (Mexico City is located on this spot today) Contributions/inventions/innovations: floating gardens, calendar The Aztec Empire was invaded by the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez in 1519. http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-civilizations/videos#aztec-sacrifice http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-civilizations/videos#the-aztecs

Inca Empire 1400-1535 Location: Andes Mountains of western South America Religion: polytheistic, sacrifices performed Famous city: Cuzco, Machu Picchu Contributions/inventions/innovations: Quipu (knotted system of keeping records), large road system, surgery, bridges. The Inca Empire was invaded by the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro. http://www.history.com/videos/natural-mummies-inca-girl#natural-mummies-inca-girl

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 Famous leaders: Hong-wu Location: China Religion: Buddhism/Confucianism Famous city: Nanjing and Beijing Contributions/inventions /innovations: Great Wall was redesigned, the novel, porcelain, and dictionary. Famous leaders: Hong-wu http://www.history.com/videos/did-the-chinese-discover-america#did-the-chinese-discover-america 4

Tokugawa Japan 1600 - 1868 Location: Japan Religion: Shintoism Famous city: Edo Contributions/inventions /innovations: Unify Japan under one rule Strong military http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/at/tokugawa/tj01.html

Songhai Empire 1464-1591 (at its height) Location: West Africa Religion: Islam Famous city: Timbuktu, major trade center for gold and salt. Timbuktu was also a center for learning. Contributions/inventions/innovations: In the city of Timbuktu, the Songhai built an international university. Established gold and salt trade in west Africa. Famous leaders: Sonni Ali and Askia the Great http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/29493-assignment-discovery-history-of-timbuktu-video.htm 6

Mughal Empire 1556-1707 (at its height) Location: India Religion: Islam, but toleration for other religions Famous city: Agra Contributions/inventions/innovations: The Taj Mahal Famous leaders: Babur and Akbar Taj Mahal: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/video/Secrets-of-the-Taj-Mahal.html 7

Ottoman Empire 1453-1918 Location: Turkey and most land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Religion: Islam Famous city: Istanbul Contributions/inventions/innovations: Legal code, Islamic art and architecture. Exported coffee, ceramics, and textiles. Famous leaders: Suleiman the Magnificent http://video.answers.com/learn-about-the-ottoman-empire-38364969 8

Safavid Empire 1502-1736 Location: Iran (ancient Persia) and other parts of central Asia. Religion: Islam (Shi’a) Famous city: Istafahan Contributions/inventions/ innovations: Leaders of the Safavid Empire were known as Shahs. Textiles (Persian carpet) Famous leaders: Abbas I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akMOycppwZs&feature=relmfu 9