Final answer:
Ancient China and Peru both modified their environments to increase agricultural land, aiding their societies in supporting larger populations and complex economies. China built the Great Wall and Grand Canal, while the Incas ingeniously created terrace systems for farming in the Andes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people of ancient China and Peru modified their environment mainly to increase the amount of land available for agriculture. In ancient China, public works programs were initiated by emperors, including the construction of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, which facilitated the expansion of agricultural land and improved trade routes.
Similarly, in ancient Peru, the Incas excelled at creating terraces that increased arable land, provided irrigation, and prevented soil erosion, thereby expanding the area available for agriculture to support a growing population. In both regions, these environmental modifications were integral to supporting larger populations, developing more complex societies, and boosting their economies.
China's development of the Silk Road enabled trade extending from China to Europe, enhancing their cultural and economic exchange. Meanwhile, the Incan terrace systems allowed for the cultivation of diverse crops, creating microclimates to support various plant species and ensuring food security in challenging environments.