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How dou make a 3-D topographic map?

I have to do this science project to make a model of a topographic map & i dont know how to make it. Can someone plz help me out.

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  1. I assume you mean a physical topagraphic map, not a digital one. If so, this is one way that might work for you: First, you need a topagraphic map of the area you want to make...i.e. one that shows elevation changes. Now, you want one that is big enough for your project and a way to copy it and / or enlarge / shrink it if you need to. Secondly, you will need lots of thick poster board, the kind that has the styrofoam like backing, or in a pinch, thick cardboard from a few boxes would work fine too, but something that will be fairly easy to cut. You will need at least one sheet that will be the base (i.e. the lowest elevation) Look at your map and see the highest point and the lowest point and what elevation (i.e. change in height) each topagraphic line on the map represents. Trace out each elevation onto a separate sheet of posterboard. Or if you want, make lots of copies of the map and cut out each elevation and glue it to a separate piece of poster board. REMEMBER: write down the elevation on the board or else you won't know which layer it will belong later! Now carefully with an Exacto knife or what ever sharp object you might have, cut out each elevation from the boards, starting with the lowest above the base, then glue it to the base. Then cut out the next layer and glue it to the appropriate area and so on. When you are done, you should end up with a model that looks just like the original topagraphic map but in 3D. Though it is not necessary, for greater accuracy and difficulty, you could make the thickness changes be in scale to the map. For example, if 1/4 inch is the equal to a distance of 500 feet on the map, then each 1/4 inch layer should represent a rise of 500 feet above the base. Whatever you do, just be consistent, and the map should look great. I hope that helps! :-)
  2. You will need to get your hands on a 2-D topographic map. These are usually available nearby. Check Google or you phone book yellow pages for maps, then look for topos. The wavy lines on the 2-D map are lines where the elevation of the land is the same height all along a particular line. The line elevation difference should be shown on the map, e.g. 50 ft, 20 ft, 10 ft, etc.. When the lines are close together, it indicates a steep slope, and when they are far apart, a gentle slope. You can make a 3-D map using your 2-D map [pick a small area on the 2-D map that has lines that go in a tighter circle and that are fairly close together - a hill] by cutting out thick pieces of cardboard, following a particular line all the way around on the 2-D map. Do a separate piece of cardboard for each line. Then, stack the cardboard up, gluing them together. If you did it right, a "hill" of cardboard should result. Hope this helps!
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