Cusco: The Capital of the Inca Empire

Cusco was the capital city of the Inca Empire, located in the Andes mountains in present-day Peru. The city was considered the heart of the empire, both spiritually and politically. The Incas believed that Cusco was the center of the world, calling it the "navel of the world." The city was known for its grand stone buildings, temples, and and other impressive architecture. Cusco was also home to the Sacsayhuamán, a massive fortress made of huge stone walls that were perfectly fit together.

Why was Cusco so significant? Cusco was the center of Inca government and religion. The emporer, or Sapa Inca, ruled from here, and the main Incan gods were worshipped in Cusco. The Incas were also known for their advanced stonework. The stones were cut so precisely that no mortar was needed, and many buildings in Cusco still stand today, even after hundreds of years. Cusco was a center for culture and learning, where artists, priests and nobles gathered to maintain Inca traditions.

Terracing & Waru Waru

The Incas were great farmers, and they needed to be because their empire stretched across many different environments. They used farming systems like Terracing and Waru Waru to grow enough food for the entire empire. Terracing was when they built steps into the mountainsides to create flat areas for farming. These terraces were supported by strong stone walls, which kept the soil from washing away during rains. This method allowed the Incas to farm on the steep mountain slopes of the Andes, which would otherwisebe too difficult to use for agriculture. 

On the other hand, Waru Waru involved building raised fields surrounded by caals. These raised beds helped trap and store rainwater, which prevented flooding and helped the crops survive even in dry conditions. It also kept the soil warm at night and cooler during the day, making it better for farming.

Th M'ita System

The M'ita system was a way the Incas organized labor for public projects. The M'ita required people in the empire to work for the government for a certain amount of time each year. This labor could be used for building roads, bridges, irrigation systems, or even farming in the fields. Because the system provided labor for the construction of these projects, it allowed for the Inca Empire to be connected, impacting the Inca road system.

While the M'ita was a form of forced labor, it was also a way the Incas topk care of their people. Those who worked under the M'ita system were provided with food, shelter, and protection. The work done through the M'ita helped build many of the great achievements of te inca Empire like their roads and agricultural systems.

This system was created to allow for the empire to build huge projects, like the extensive road system, with the help of many people working together. They also used it to support the people and ensure that everyone played a part in the empire's success. By organizing labor in this way, the Incas could complete large-scale prokects quickly and efficiently.