import pylab, numpy
from matplotlib.toolkits.basemap import Basemap
# create figure.
# background color will be used for 'wet' areas.
fig = pylab.figure()
fig.add_axes([0.1,0.1,0.8,0.8],axisbg='aqua')
# create map by specifying width and height in km.
projection = 'lcc' # map projection
resolution = XX # resolution of boundaries ('c','l','i',or 'h')
lon_0=XX # longitude of origin of map projection domain (degrees).
lat_0=XX # standard parallel/latitude of origin of map projection domain.
width = XX # width of map projecton domain in km.
height = XX # height of map projection domain in km.
m = Basemap(lon_0=lon_0,lat_0=lat_0,\
width=width,height=height,\
resolution=resolution,projection=projection)
# draw coastlines.
m.drawcoastlines(linewidth=0.5)
# fill continents.
m.fillcontinents(color='coral')
# draw states and countries.
m.drawcountries()
m.drawstates()
pylab.title('map region specified using width and height')
pylab.show()
