From a small and unknown tribe, the Cuzco Inca valleys over time were able to turn into powerful rulers of the Andes. They created a great empire that amazed aliens from Europe with their grandiose structures and scientific knowledge. The Inca Empire was the largest state in terms of area and population in South America, which included the lands of present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and partly Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The ruler of these vast territories was Inca - as the Indians called their sovereign. Literally, "Inca" means "overlord," "king." And the word "Inca" itself was an integral part of the name of the leader of the empire. With the advent of the conquerors, the concept of "Inca," or "Inca," spread to the entire tribe of Indians inhabiting the empire.