Rico Nova, 3D

Quick Answer: Rico Nova, 3D is a raised-relief 3D physical geography model in which elevation and landform shape are physically present. It is used as a classroom demonstration aid to show how relief influences rivers, climate and human activity.

Relief as the Starting Point for Physical Geography

Much of physical geography follows from the shape of the land. Water runs downhill, so the high ground on a relief model marks the watersheds, or drainage divides, that separate one river basin from the next. Students can trace where rain falling on either side of a ridge would end up and see why rivers rise in uplands and reach the sea through lowlands.

Relief also shapes climate. When moist winds meet a mountain barrier they rise, cool and drop heavy rain on the windward side, leaving a drier rain-shadow area beyond. India gives clear examples: the western slopes of the Western Ghats receive far more monsoon rainfall than the plateau just to the east. A raised model makes that sequence easy to explain with a hand tracing the path of the wind.

Human geography then builds on both. Settlements, farmland and transport routes tend to follow valleys, gentle slopes and passes through high ground, so a relief model is a practical starting point for discussing why towns, roads and railways are where they are.

Classroom Uses

• Identifying watersheds and predicting the direction of river flow
• Explaining orographic rainfall and rain-shadow areas
• Discussing how relief influences settlement, farming and transport routes
• Comparing the raised model with an atlas map of a similar type of terrain

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Never pour water onto the model to demonstrate drainage; trace flow paths with a finger or pointer instead.
• Lift and carry it with a hand under each side.
• Wipe dust away with a dry microfibre cloth and keep the model covered between lessons.

Why Choose LabEquip

Schools building a relief collection often add Nystrom, 3D from the same range, or the Map of The World, 3D for global relief. Each is listed in Educational Science Models, and the LabEquip contact page is open for school orders and questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can students learn from a raised-relief model in physical geography?

How height and slope control where rivers flow, where rain falls, and where people settle and build roads. Relief is the starting point for many of these topics.

How does relief explain where rivers flow?

Rivers flow downhill from high ground towards lower land and the sea. The high ridges on a relief model act as watersheds, dividing the rain that drains into one river basin from the rain that drains into the next.

What is a rain shadow?

It is a drier area on the sheltered side of a mountain range. Moist air rises over the windward slopes, cools and loses much of its moisture as rain, so the air descending on the far side is dry.

How does Rico Nova, 3D differ from Nystrom, 3D?

Both are raised-relief 3D models in the same Educational Science Models range. The area and layout each covers are confirmed at enquiry, so mention the syllabus topic you want the model for.

Can the model support human geography lessons?

Yes. Students can discuss why settlements cluster in valleys and on plains, why roads use passes and gentle gradients, and how steep slopes limit farming.

How should the model be cleaned?

Dust it with a dry microfibre cloth or a soft brush. Avoid water, sprays and solvents, and keep it covered when it is not in use.

Last Updated: October 2026