Something interesting in noticed when playing around with maps.google.com
when you look at the entire nation from a satellite page, you will notice certain states that stick out. These states have the highest zoom available in all places, not just large cities. Check it out....
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.93...z=11&t=k&hl=en
You can see...Massachusetts, Indiana, and New Jersey. Why do the other states not have this same result?