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Inca Civilization - Inca Culture - The Inkas

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Present-day Peru owes much of its culture and customs to the ancient Inca Civilization that dominated most of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, as well as parts of Colombia, Chile, and Argentina.

Read about the various aspects of Inca culture, beliefs, architecture and more on the following categories and pages:

Overview of the Inca Civilization

The Quechua and Aymara people of the Andes Mountain regions from Ecuador to Bolivia still maintain many characteristics of their Inca ancestors.

Area of the Inca Civilization

What began as just one of the many hundreds of tribes in the regions now covered by the above countries, the Inca people were to develop into one of the major historical civilizations in earth's history.

Although not as ancient as other giant empires, the Inca civilization and culture became one of the world's wonders in terms of their architectural prowess as well as the size of their dominion.

Centered in the still-existing town of Cuzco nestled in the high Andes Mountains in Southern Peru, the Inca Culture began to expand its influence in 1442; at the height of its power dominating an area six times the size of modern France.

Like other empires that have come and gone, the Inca Empire went through its share of infighting in the royal family.

However, it eventually was established in its far-reaching influence until invaded by Spaniards looking for quick riches.

The Spanish conquerors, led by an infamous adventurer named Francisco Pizarro in 1533, slowly brought the Inca Empire to its knees.

The Viceroyalty of Peru, a Spanish dominion, was established in 1542, and the mighty Inca Empire finally met its end in the decisive Battle of Vilcabamba in 1573.

Famous Quote

"Your emperor may be a great prince; I do not doubt it, seeing that he has sent his subjects so far across the waters; and I am willing to treat him as a brother.

As for your pope of whom you speak, he must be mad to speak of giving away countries that do not belong to him.

As for my faith, I will not change it.

Your own God, as you tell me, was put to death by the very men He created. But my God still looks down on His children."

Atahualpa, Inca Chief

(On hearing Pope Alexander VI had declared Peru to be a possession of Spain.)

From http://www.indigenouspeople.net/quotes.htm