from mpl_toolkits.basemap import Basemap
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
# setup Lambert Conformal basemap.
m = Basemap(width=12000000,height=9000000,projection='lcc',
            resolution='c',lat_1=45.,lat_2=55,lat_0=50,lon_0=-107.)
# draw coastlines.
m.drawcoastlines()
# draw a boundary around the map, fill the background.
# this background will end up being the ocean color, since
# the continents will be drawn on top.
m.drawmapboundary(fill_color='aqua') 
# fill continents, set lake color same as ocean color. 
m.fillcontinents(color='coral',lake_color='aqua')
# draw parallels and meridians.
# label parallels on right and top
# meridians on bottom and left
parallels = np.arange(0.,81,10.)
# labels = [left,right,top,bottom]
m.drawparallels(parallels,labels=[False,True,True,False])
meridians = np.arange(10.,351.,20.)
m.drawmeridians(meridians,labels=[True,False,False,True])
plt.show()