Mon, Jun 4, 2007
In Peru, Iain examines how the Incas build the American counterpart of the Roman empire in a harsh, unpredictable climate dominated by the Andes. The rich fishing are made unreliable by El Niño, so the key is diversified agriculture at various heights, where corn and potato species grow, on artificial terraces to irrigate mountain streams. The key animal, llama, provided transport over a vast road network, meat and wool. They built in stone, withstanding most earthquakes. Their downfall at Spanish hands was also motivated by a geological treasure: gold.
Tue, Jun 5, 2007
Japan is an archipelago dominated by volcanoes and other mountains, which shape its culture. Space is rare, people forced to live together in constrained valleys and coastal zones, housing expensive. The tectonic plates cause grave earthquake danger.