Tawantinsuyu's Four Suyus
The Inka called their empire Tawantinsuyu, which means "The Four Regions Together". Each of the four suyus (regions) had diverse populations, environments, and resources. With its network of roads, storehouses, religious sites, and administrative stations, the Qhapaq Ñan integrated the suyus into one empire.
Select a region to learn more
- Antisuyu
- Chinchaysuyu
- Contisuyu
- Collasuyu
Antisuyu: An Exotic and Forbidding Landscape
Located in the upper Amazon, Antisuyu had a rainforest environment marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and lush vegetation. It offered many natural resources, especially coca, medicinal plants, gold, and exotic bird feathers. Antisuyu's rainforest diseases, and resistance by tribal peoples, made the region difficult to conquer.
Chinchaysuyu: Innovative Engineering and Valuable Resources
Chinchaysuyu contained the empire's most important agricultural region. The territory covered much of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, and part of Colombia. The landscape featured large open valleys, deep canyons, high plateaus, coastal valleys, and deserts, giving road builders many challenges.
Contisuyu: The Road to the Sea
Contisuyu gave the Inka important resources from the sea. Here, breathtaking vertical slopes rise from sea level to 19,000 feet (5,800 meters) in altitude. A land of dramatic peaks, volcanoes, and deep gorges, Contisuyu presented complex problems for Inka road engineers.
Collasuyu: High Plains and Herds
Collasuyu covered southern Peru and parts of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. Colla means "high plain." Its extensive grassland was ideal for llama and alpaca herding. The region was also a source of salt, potatoes, gold, silver, and copper.
Tawantinsuyu's Four Suyus
The Inka called their empire Tawantinsuyu, which means "The Four Regions Together". Each of the four suyus (regions) had diverse populations, environments, and resources. With its network of roads, storehouses, religious sites, and administrative stations, the Qhapaq Ñan integrated the suyus into one empire.
Antisuyu: An Exotic and Forbidding Landscape
Located in the upper Amazon, Antisuyu had a rainforest environment marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and lush vegetation. It offered many natural resources, especially coca, medicinal plants, gold, and exotic bird feathers. Antisuyu's rainforest diseases, and resistance by tribal peoples, made the region difficult to conquer.
Chinchaysuyu: Innovative Engineering and Valuable Resources
Chinchaysuyu contained the empire's most important agricultural region. The territory covered much of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, and part of Colombia. The landscape featured large open valleys, deep canyons, high plateaus, coastal valleys, and deserts, giving road builders many challenges.
Contisuyu: The Road to the Sea
Contisuyu gave the Inka important resources from the sea. Here, breathtaking vertical slopes rise from sea level to 19,000 feet (5,800 meters) in altitude. A land of dramatic peaks, volcanoes, and deep gorges, Contisuyu presented complex problems for Inka road engineers.
Collasuyu: High Plains and Herds
Collasuyu covered southern Peru and parts of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. Colla means "high plain." Its extensive grassland was ideal for llama and alpaca herding. The region was also a source of salt, potatoes, gold, silver, and copper.