Peruvian history is rich and diverse, beginning with ancient civilizations like the Inca Empire, which thrived in the 15th and early 16th centuries. The Incas built impressive structures, such as Machu Picchu, and developed advanced agricultural techniques. Their empire was vast, stretching along the western coast of South America. In 1532, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca leader Atahualpa, leading to the fall of the empire. Peru became a Spanish colony, which lasted for nearly three centuries. In 1821, Peru declared independence, and after a series of conflicts, it became a republic in 1824, shaping its modern identity.