Vertical archipelago

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/vertical-archipelago

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the location?Andes Mountains, South America
2. What is the core concept?A socio-economic model of resource acquisition and distribution across distinct altitudinal zones
3. Why did the Inca use a vertical archipelago?It helped them get food from cool high places and warm low places, so they never ran out if one area had bad weather.
4. How does a vertical archipelago help people in the Andes?It lets communities share food and goods, and the Inca could give food to everyone, like a big family sharing.

Reciprocal Exchange: The mutual exchange of goods or services between individuals or groups.
Redistribution: The collection of goods or resources by a central authority for reallocation.
Altitudinal Belts: Distinct ecological zones found at different elevations on a mountain slope.
Mita System: A form of mandatory public service or labor tribute in the Inca Empire.