During the reign of the Inca Empire (1438 - 1532), [before and after], information was sent from one end of the empire to the other using "Chasquis". These were young relay post runners who would carry messages from "Tambo" to "Tambo". Tambos were a kind of Inn, or a rest stop along the route where the runners would rest while waiting. A chasqui arriving at a Tambo would pass off his satchel to a waiting chasqui who would continue running to the next Tambo. This chasqui relay system was so swift, that they could carry fish fresh from the coast to the high Andes for the Inca. This relay system kept the Inca informed with the latest news from all corners of the empire. The Inca empire encompassed an area that extended from northern Chile, all of Peru, most of Bolivia and most of Ecuador.