Vocab 8

4. – A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, often with water on both sides (e.g., the Isthmus of Panama).
5. – A powerful Mesoamerican empire located in central Mexico; known for its capital Tenochtitlan, human sacrifices, and warrior culture.
6. – The capital city of the Aztec Empire, built on an island in Lake Texcoco; now Mexico City.
8. (Japan) – A traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of Shinto shrines, symbolizing the transition from the mundane to the sacred.
9. – A Mesoamerican civilization known for its advanced writing system, calendar, mathematics, and impressive cities like Chichen Itza.
10. (Japan) – A tiered tower with multiple eaves, often found at Buddhist temples in Japan and used to house sacred relics.
12. – "Floating gardens" used by the Aztecs to grow crops on the shallow lake beds of Tenochtitlan.
13. Mountains – A major mountain range along the western coast of South America; home to the Inca Empire.

1. – A system of knotted strings used by the Inca to record information such as census data or trade.
2. (Japan) – The traditional religion of Japan, focusing on nature spirits (kami), ancestor worship, and ritual purification.
3. – The capital city of the Inca Empire, located in modern-day Peru.
5. – A belief system where natural objects (like trees, rivers, and animals) are believed to have spirits or souls; common in indigenous and early societies.
7. Farming – A method of farming on mountainous terrain by building steps or "terraces" into the hillsides; used by the Inca.
11. – A South American civilization that developed in the Andes Mountains, known for Cuzco as its capital and Machu Picchu.