The Inca Empire conquered vertically along mountains, rather than North and South along the cost of South America.
That statement is incorrect. While the Inca Empire was indeed located in the Andes mountains, they did not conquer vertically along the mountains. The Inca Empire expanded primarily through military conquest, both north and south along the western coast of South America.
The Inca Empire originated in the region of Cusco in modern-day Peru and gradually expanded its territories through a combination of military force, strategic alliances, and political diplomacy. They conquered and incorporated numerous indigenous societies and kingdoms, stretching from present-day Ecuador in the north to central Chile in the south.
The Incas utilized a highly organized administrative system, integrating conquered territories into their imperial structure. They established a vast network of roads, known as the Inca Road or the Qhapaq Ñan, that facilitated communication, trade, and military expeditions across their vast empire.
Although the Andes provided a natural barrier and some challenges for expansion, the Incas managed to conquer various ecological zones across the mountains, including coastal regions, highlands, and even parts of the Amazon rainforest.
It is worth noting that the Inca Empire had a strong agricultural base, harnessing sophisticated terracing techniques to cultivate crops on steep slopes. This allowed them to support a large population and establish settlements in harsh mountainous environments.
In summary, the Inca Empire expanded both north and south along the western coast of South America, incorporating diverse regions and peoples, rather than solely conquering vertically along the mountains.