The four boundaries of the Empire of the Yncas, when the Spaniards entered it, were as follows—to the north it extended as far as the river Ancasmayu, which flows between the limits of Pastu and Quitu, and means in the general language of Peru, “the blue river”. It is almost exactly on the equinoctial line. To the south it was bounded by a river called Maule, which flows from east to west, past the kingdom of Chile, and before the country of the Araucanians is reached. This river is more than forty degrees south of the equator. Between these two rivers there is a distance of little less than 1300 leagues, by land. The part they call Peru is 750 leagues in length, by land, from the river Ancasmayu to the Chichas, which is the last province of Charcas. And that which they call the kingdom of Chile is near 550 leagues in length from north to south, counting from the end of the province of the Chichas to the river Maule.

To the east the Empire is bounded by that never trodden by man nor animal nor bird, that inaccessible chain of snowy mountains which extends from Santa Martha to the straits of Magellan, which the Indians call Ritisuyu, meaning the “line of snow”. To the west the boundary is the South Sea, which extends along the whole length from end to end. The limit of the Empire, on the coast, begins at Cape Pasau near the equator, and extends to the same river Maule, which also falls into the South Sea.