Across
- 4. – A narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas and has water on both sides. Example: the Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America.
- 5. – A powerful Mesoamerican civilization that lived in central Mexico from the 1300s to the early 1500s. Their capital was Tenochtitlan. They were known for their empire, agriculture (like chinampas), religion, and human sacrifice.
- 6. – The capital city of the Aztec Empire, built on an island in Lake Texcoco in central Mexico. It was a large and powerful city, located where Mexico City is today.
- 8. – A traditional Japanese gate, usually made of wood or stone, found at the entrance to Shinto shrines. It marks the boundary between the ordinary world and a sacred space.
- 9. – Refers to the ancient civilization that lived in parts of present‑day Mexico and Central America (especially the Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras). They are known for advanced math, astronomy, writing (hieroglyphics), and step pyramids.
- 10. – A multi‑story tower building with roofs that curve upward at the edges, often found at Buddhist temples in East Asia (including Japan). It is usually a religious structure for worship or to house sacred objects.
- 12. – Man‑made islands or raised fields built on shallow lake beds, especially used by the Aztecs. They are sometimes called “floating gardens” and were used for farming.
- 13. Mountains – A long mountain range on the western side of South America. It is the home region of the Inca Empire and is known for its high elevations and rugged terrain.
Down
- 1. – A record‑keeping tool used by the Incas made of knotted strings. The number and position of knots could record numbers, possibly used for counting people, goods, or taxes.
- 2. (Japan) – A traditional religion of Japan that focuses on kami (spirits or sacred forces) found in nature, ancestors, and sacred places. It emphasizes rituals, purity, and respect for nature.
- 3. (Cusco) – The capital city of the Inca Empire, located in present‑day Peru in the Andes Mountains. It was the political, religious, and cultural center of the Inca.
- 5. – A belief system in which people think that spirits or souls exist in animals, plants, natural features (like rivers or mountains), and sometimes objects.
- 7. Farming – A method of farming on the sides of hills or mountains by cutting flat steps (terraces) into the slope to create flat land for crops and reduce soil erosion. Used by the Incas in the Andes.
- 11. (Inca) – A large South American empire that developed in the Andes Mountains (mainly in present‑day Peru, plus parts of neighboring countries). They were known for road systems, terrace farming, and record‑keeping with quipu.