Machu Picchu, Peru, Inca Empire. Built mid 1400s on a high plain between peaks of 2 mountains in the Andes, consisted of agriculture, complex stone buildings and terraces. The city covered 5 sq mi of terraces built around a central plaza and linked by numerous stairs, set in beautiful and dramatic position. The Inca empire was well run with a hierarchy of nobles, governors and officials headed by the Sapa Inca. Building new towns was controlled by the central administration, who also monitored use of natural resources. The Incas did not invent the wheel. Rulers controlled their vast domains via a 19,000 mile road network over inaccessible terrain. The government used relay runners or couriers to keep in close touch with local and provincial officials, placing small offices of waiting runners miles apart along the routes. Runners covered as much as 150 miles in a day. Peruvian soldier carries his boots in his poncho. Peruvian pilgrims worship the smiling god in the temple at Chavin de Huantar. Paracas culture Nazca people in Peru were great potters and weavers.
Born in Argentina in 1778, General Jose de San Martin was taken to Spain to train for the military. On hearing of the fight for independence San Martin returned home, devising a plan to liberate Peru, the corner of Spanish authority in South America. San Martin built up a Chilean battle fleet and in 1830 organized a combined sea-land invasion. Marching on Lima, San Martin gained popular support and tried to negotiate with the Spanish viceroy to surrender without further fighting. The viceroy surrendered. When San Martin's troops entered Lima in 1831 San Martin became Protector of Peru and declared the colony independent, retiring in 1832.
ECUADOR
High in the Andes' Cordillera Real, Ecuador is one of South America's smallest countries, less than 1/2 as big as France. Ecuador's physical extremes include immense forests, towering mountains, farms, ice, water, fire. The Avenue of the Volcanos' peaks feed torrents transforming the Maranon River into the mighty Amazon. Ecuador is named for containing the Equator's highest point. In Ecuador Pizarro killed Atahualpa and the Inca empire. Almost 1/2 Ecuador's population is Indian and speaks Quechua, scratching a harsh mountain existence, their lives ruled by sun, moon, markets and fiestas. The Northern Sierra's biggest fiesta is in June, originally a pagan summer solstice feast. Spanish priests converted the festival by adding a saints day and celebrating Mass. The summer solstice coincides with St John's Day.
VENEZUELA
Columbus discovered Venezuela during his 3rd voyage, August 1, 1498. After reaching Trinidad he sailed west along the coast and saw new land, which he mistook for another island and named it Holy Land or Land of Grace. Thus at Macuro (now Cristobal Colon) Venezuela Columbus first set foot on continental America. The name Venezuela first appeared in the early 1500s during Alonso de Ojeda's "minor voyages" along the north coast as far as Lake Maracaibo. Ojeda saw Indians living in groups of houses built on stilts over the water, reminding him of Venice. Amerigo Vespucci, traveling with Ojeda, suggested Venezuela, "little Venice." Vespucci, traveling over lands Columbus discovered, was first, on returning to Europe, to write about them.
BOLIVIA
Liberator Simon Bolivar 1783 - 1830 born in Caracas, Venezuela, dreamed of uniting all Spain's colonies in a political federation. Traveling through Europe as French Revolution
results spread, Bolivar became inspired to fight for independence for South America. In 1824 Bolivar became leader of Venezuelan republicans, led a revolt and established Venezuela's
independence in 1816 although not recognized by Spain. Carrying the struggle into Columbia in 1819 Bolivar defeated Spain and became Columbia's first President. Bolivar and his army returned
to Venezuela, defeated Spain and won a great victory in the capture of Caracas for Venezuela on the plains of Carabobo in 1821, confirming Venezuela's independence. Bolivar, still visualizing a united Spanish America, in 1822 secured independence for Quito (now Ecuador) later a part of Columbia. In 1824 Bolivar led Peruvian revolutionary forces in their fight for independence. Victorious, he was elected President of Peru in February 1825. In May Bolivar organized in southern Peru a new republic, Bolivia.
Bolivia was the first South American State to raise the flag of independence but last to gain freedom. Independence was proclaimed in 1809. Wars securing it were won in 1825. The llama for centuries has been Bolivia's most valued animal. Llama habitats largely determined Inca Empire boundaries. Bolivia, high in the mountains, has always had transportation difficulties. Bolivians were among the first Americans to organize air transport in 1925. Tall hats, typical wear of Bolivian women, as is the colorful cloth under their shoulders, used to carry almost anything from corn to babies.
POTOSI, Bolivia - Spanish Colonization
Potosi was founded in 1545 by Diego Centano after discovering rich silver mines. Until the 1700s this was the New World's largest city. Spaniards arrived in America with definite ideas of gaining wealth, particularly attracted by precious metals. When offered an estate by Cuba's governor, Hernan Cortes retorted "I came to get gold, not till the soil like a peasant." In civilization's early stages gold was washed from Caribbean island rivers. On the mainland silver was the precious metal found in greatest abundance. In 1545 spectacular silver strikes occurred in Potosi. From then on silver mining was an important factor in consolidating Spanish-American settlement patterns.
Potosi, in the southern part of the Altiplano, was known worldwide as was Cerro Rico (Rich Hill) with its abundant silver. Inca kings were interested in mining, though not as avidly or greedily as the Conquerors. Before the Conquest 12th Inca Huyana Capac visited the neighborhood. Hearing of the region's minerals he ordered workers' brigades to exploit them. Work had barely begun when the mountain roared and a voice shouted "Pachacamac Janac Pachapac guaccaichan" - "The Lord guards the treasures for one who comes later." Inca work was abandoned and the place was named Potosi - "noise." Spaniards arrived fulfilling the prophecy, not taking long to establish at Potosi one of the world's most affluent and illustrious mining cities.