I think the "three-dimensional" aspect is key here, cartographic relief models typically are made of molded plastic in which points of elevation and/or depth appear in the third dimension of height and/or depth. It is like taking a standard topographic map (in most cases) and pushing up hills and mountains where shown on the map so you can see the elevation (and feel it) and the opposite for distances under water.
A "plastic map" or more usually "plastic-treated" or "plastic-coated" map is still a 2-dimensional flat map, and either the paper has been coated with a clear film or the "paper" itself is at least partially of a man-made substance, both of which provide some level of water proofing.
From: "PhDr. Eva Novotná" <
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To: [log in to unmask]Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 5:16:50 AM
Subject: relief model/plastic maps
Hello,
could you please help us with the definition
of the difference between
the relief model and the plastic maps?
Both are 3D relief maps (/plans).
In the RDA: model is:
1) A unit of extent of three-dimensional form consisting of a physical
representation of a real or imagined object usually on a smaller scale.
2) A unit of extent of cartographic resource that is a three-dimensional
representation of the whole or part of the Earth or any celestial body
(real or imaginary) at any scale.
Thank you
Eva Novotná
Map collection of Charles University (Prague)
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