Which New World civilization is characterized by reliance on permanent agriculture and a confederation of city-states?

The civilization characterized by reliance on permanent agriculture and a confederation of city-states is the Maya. The Maya civilization was known for its advanced agricultural practices, which included the cultivation of maize, beans, and squash, often in combination known as the "Mesoamerican triad." The Maya developed sophisticated techniques for farming, including terracing and irrigation, allowing them to sustain large populations and create highly organized, urban centers.

Furthermore, the Maya operated as a confederation of independent city-states, each governed by its own ruler. These city-states, such as Tikal and Calakmul, often engaged in trade, alliances, and conflicts with each other, showcasing a complex political and social structure.

In contrast, while the Aztecs also had a sophisticated agricultural system and developed a large empire, they were not characterized by multiple independent city-states in the same way the Maya were. The Inca, on the other hand, formed a centralized empire with a focus on state-controlled agriculture rather than distinct city-states. The Olmec civilization, recognized as one of the earliest in Mesoamerica, did not have the same level of agricultural sophistication or city-state structure that defines the Maya.