This map - the map for Paradox's Victoria 2 - is usually the standard faire as far as things go:

[img]http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo219/CanOmer/V2_Blank_Sea.png~original[/img]

You can make out the states of the US just fine, imo.

It's not pretty, or creative. But to tell the truth I personally reserve that level of effort for fantasy worlds where I do need to build a unique geography and topography.