1. 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.

2. 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.

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

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

5. 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.

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

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

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

9. The Incas also built elaborate terraces
to farm on mountains.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

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

14. The Incas
Location
Agriculture
Achievements
Sapa Inca
Roads