The Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyo

What Does Tahuantinsuyo Mean?

The name "Tahuantinsuyo" is derived from Quechua, which translates to "Four Regions," referring to the four divisions of the empire.

• Tahua: Four
• Suyo: Region

The Four Suyos

In the 13th century, the Inca Empire was divided into four regions:

• Chinchaysuyo: Northwest
• Collasuyo: Southeast
• Contisuyo: West
• Antisuyo: East

Map of Tahuantinsuyo

Extent of Tahuantinsuyo

The Inca Empire (Tahuantinsuyo) extended across Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, covering an area of approximately 1,700,000 square kilometers. The regions were supported by fishing, agriculture, and livestock production. They engaged in construction, textile production, and a vast network for product distribution.

Origin of Tahuantinsuyo

Various legends explain the origin of Tahuantinsuyo, with the most famous being the story of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. According to legend, people lived like animals until the Sun God sent Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, a couple who were also siblings, to find fertile land. They were given a golden staff and instructed to establish a city where they planted it. This city eventually became the capital of Tahuantinsuyo and the "center of the world."

Extent and Fall of Tahuantinsuyo

The empire, considered one of the largest in the Inca period, spanned over 2,500,000 square kilometers from southern Colombia to central Chile, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Peru. It fell from its height in 1438 to its decline in 1533. The fall began with internal conflict between Huáscar and Atahualpa, sons of the Inca emperor Huayna Cápac. The Spanish, led by Francisco Pizarro, captured Atahualpa in Cajamarca and later executed him after demanding a ransom of gold. The fall was accelerated by alliances with local groups such as the Cañaris and Chachapoyas. The final blow came in 1572 when the last Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru, was executed.

Key Features of Tahuantinsuyo

• Continent: South America (Central and Western parts)
• Latitude: Between 2° North and 36° South
• Area: Approximately 1,700,000 km² at its height
• Countries: Parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile
• Capital: Cusco (Center of the World)

Borders of Tahuantinsuyo

• North: Pasto, Colombia (Ancasmayo Rivers)
• South: Río Maule (South of Santiago, Chile)
• East: Ceja de Selva
• West: Pacific Ocean
• Southeast: Pampas de Tucumán (Argentina)

Four Regions

• Collasuyo: Southeast of Cusco (Altiplano)
• Chinchaysuyo: Northeast of Cusco (Northern Coast and Central Sierra)
• Contisuyo: West of Cusco (Southern Coast and Sierra)
• Antisuyo: East of Cusco (Andes and Border with the Jungle)

Resources

• The Tahuantinsuyo in PDF for Download:
  • The Fate of Tahuantinsuyo in the Hands of an Interpreter - Descargar Ahora
  • The Conquest of Tahuantinsuyo and Its Consequences - Descargar Ahora

Inca Expansion

The Inca Empire began its expansion with Pachacútec, followed by his brother Cápac Yupanqui, the tenth Inca Túpac Yupanqui, and concluded with the eleventh Inca Huayna Cápac, who consolidated the territories.

How Was Tahuantinsuyo Formed?

According to legend, the Inca Empire originated from the story of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. This brother-sister couple, sent by the Sun God, were tasked with finding fertile land to establish a city that would civilize people living like wild animals.

Coloring Map of Tahuantinsuyo for Kids