Final answer:
The Inca Empire spanned what are now parts of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, with its capital being Cuzco. The empire employed a labor-based economy without conventional markets or money and was held together by the divine authority of the Sapa Inca and an extensive road and administrative system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The modern countries that are located where the Inca Empire once existed include parts of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The capital city of the empire was Cuzco, which today is a prominent city in Peru renowned for its archeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture.
The Inca Empire's economic system was unique in that it did not use markets or money in the conventional sense. Instead, it relied on an intricate system of trading goods and services, with labor as the central tax. People contributed work to the state and, in return, were provided with food and other essentials. This labor tax system was known as 'mita'.
The empire's cohesion was bolstered by the Sapa Inca, the emperor, who was revered as a divine ruler. The Sapa Inca oversaw a complex administrative system and a network of roads that facilitated communication and transport across the rugged Andean landscape. The Inca Empire was well-known for its advanced engineering feats, which included the construction of monumental structures, roads, bridges, and terraced hillside farming techniques to harness the challenging terrain. The empire's strategic infrastructure supported both its military endeavors and its administrative control.