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How to Build a Physical Model of a Country

A physical model of a country is called a relief map and features the terrain, forests, bodies of water and other physical qualities of the landscape. There are a number of ways you might do this, but one of the simplest is to use colored modeling clay, which will stick nicely to a wooden board and hold its shape. At the same time it will allow you to make changes as you go.

Tracing paper
Pencil
Scissors
Tape
Marker
Wood or cardboard base
Modeling clay in various colors
Clay roller or rolling pin
Knife or clay cutter
Card stock

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a sheet of paper over a topographical map of the country you are modeling and trace the outline of the borders and major features.
- 2
  Cut the image along the boarder.
- 3
  Tape the map to your display board and trace the outline to the board with a marker.
- 4
  Sketch physical features with a pencil and mark the colors of each one. For example, forests would be green, water would be blue, mountains would be brown and plains would be yellow.
- 5
  Roll the clay into thin sheets and press the various colors into position by hand and cut away excess. Peak the mountain areas and raise the different elevations with additional layers.
- 6
  Cut strips of card stock for name plates and mark the various regions of your country.

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