Final answer:
The Inca civilization adapted to the mountainous Andean terrain through innovative terrace farming, creating micro-climates for diverse crop growth, and implementing a sophisticated economic system to manage and distribute agricultural resources. Despite technological limitations, they achieved a remarkable level of productivity and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Inca civilization made significant advancements in farming to sustain a large population in the challenging Andean terrain. Using innovative agricultural methods such as terrace farming, the Inca managed to cultivate a variety of crops including corn, beans, squash, quinoa, and potatoes. These terraces were engineered with retaining walls and layered with loose stones and soil, optimizing drainage and reducing erosion while allowing for the creation of micro-climates necessary for different plants to thrive.
The Inca society was structured around a hierarchy with the ruling class having absolute authority, and much like feudal lords in Europe, lived off the labor of peasants. The economic model incorporated a collective welfare system where crops were divided between the peasants, the Inca ruler, and for those who were unable to work. The Inca empire's farming success contributed greatly to their ability to control a vast region, store food for lean times, and support their military and public work agendas.
Despite lacking many of the technologies that other civilizations had, such as wheeled vehicles or iron tools, the Inca empire was able to create a productive and stable society. Their innovative agricultural techniques, like the terraced fields surrounding Lake Titicaca and the use of guano as fertilizer, are testament to their ingenuity and ability to overcome the environmental challenges they faced.