3d Map with bars

Apologies in advance for the question. I am trying to draw a map of the US 
as a surface plot so that I would be able to drop bars on the different 
states (something like Uwe Ligges' scatterplot3d example 4). I am not sure 
where to start looking for such a beast. If anyone has any pointers, 
ideas, I will be grateful.

TIA,
Partha