The Inca road system formed a network known as the royal highway or qhapaq ñan, which became an invaluable part of the Inca empire. Roads facilitated the movement of armies, people, and goods across plains, deserts, and mountains. They connected settlements and administrative centres, and provided an important physical symbol of imperial power and control.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original content at https://www.worldhistory.org/article/757/the-inca-road-system/.