The Mayan, Inca, and Aztec civilizations each originated from Latin America. Some Maya lived in southern Mexico in the present-day states of Chipas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yacatan, and Quintana Roo. Other Maya lived in Central America in the countries of Belize, Guatemala, and ancient Honduras. The Incas lived in an empire they called Tawantinsuyu. Tawantinsuya means four parts. The Incas lived in what is now Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. The four parts were a long coastal strip, the high peaks and deep fertile valleys of the Andes, and the mountainous fringes of the tropical forest in the east. The Aztecs came from Aztlan, in northern or northwestern Mexico. Each Mayan city governed its own surrounding area, and some large cities each controlled one or more smaller cities. A ruler of the Mayan city would be succeeded by his younger brother or son. This led to generations of a single family ruling for hundreds of years. Inca leaders maintained their power by providing entertainment and luxuries to the people. Citizens paid taxes in exchange for these gifts. In Inca culture, the emperor married his sister and his generals would be his relatives. Inca rulers could rule independently. Aztec power was held together by land ownership. Some families shared a piece of land and some of the land was given to the state as a tax. Entire Mayan families ...