Answer :
Final answer:
The Mexica and Inca empires thrived largely due to the cultivation of corn (maize) and potatoes, which provided essential nutrition and supported their populations. Corn was developed in Mexico from wild teosinte, while potatoes were vital in the Andes. This agricultural foundation was crucial for the growth and sustainability of these civilizations.
Explanation:
Crucial Crops for Empires
The empires of the Mexica and the Inca thrived primarily due to the cultivation of corn (maize) and potato. These crops were integral to their societies, providing essential calories and a stable food supply.
Corn was domesticated from a wild grass called teosinte around 9,000 years ago in what is now Mexico. It became a staple food that not only sustained the population but also facilitated trade and the growth of urban centers. Similarly, the potato, with its high nutritional value, became a vital food source in the Andean region, allowing the Inca Empire to support large populations with limited arable land.
Significance of These Crops
The development and successful cultivation of these crops were key to the agricultural innovations that supported both empires' economies, social structures, and military might. In contrast, the options listed such as bananas, rice, coffee, and tobacco either originated from different regions or played lesser roles in the sustenance of these civilizations. Thus, the correct answer to the question is (D) corn/maize and potato.
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