A cut edge or a bounding box around a relief map creates cross-sectional profiles through the topography. The edges give additional reference points in visualising the lie of the land and for comparing relative distance, elevation and gradient.
Border Square, 2007 - Laurent Liefooghe, Netwerk, Aalst
3d Map Making, 1919 - Australian War Records Section
3d Map Making, 1919 - Australian War Records Section
Relief map of Polygon Wood, Belgium, 1919 - Australian War Records Section
Relief map of Zonnebeke area, Belgium, 1919 - Australian War Records Section
Relief map of the Cairngorm moutains machined in Polyurethane model block - The Cutting Room, CNC Routing
Relief map of Dorset machined in Polyurethane model block - The Cutting Room, CNC Routing
Sources and further information
http://www.liefooghe.be/indexb.php?project=20
http://www.netwerk-art.be/en/activities/exhibitions/19
http://www.awm.gov.au/blog/2007/07/13/relief-maps-of-the-western-front
http://www.cncrouting.co.uk/gallery/raised-3d-relief-map.htm
That Last Landscape 